[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 82 (Wednesday, April 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 23251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9412]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-103 (Sub-No. 17X)]


The Kansas City Southern Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--
in Jackson County, MO

    On April 8, 2004, The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR) 
filed with the Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption 
from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903-05 to abandon approximately 1.3 
miles of its line of railroad known as the Second Street Track located 
in Kansas City, Jackson County, MO. The line consists of two segments: 
(1) The first segment extends from milepost 0+/-, located in an unused 
rail yard, to milepost 0+5188'+/-, at the crossing of the Second Street 
Track and a Union Pacific Railroad Company line, a distance of 
approximately 0.98 miles; and (2) the second segment branches off 
northwest from the first segment between Main Street and Grand Avenue 
at milepost 0-W of that line, and continues west to approximately 
milepost 0+1518'-W at the east end of railroad bridge B-1-W.\1\ The 
line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Code 64105 and includes 
no stations.
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    \1\ KCSR notes that bridge B-1-W was incorrectly identified as 
bridge C-1-W in KCSR's newspaper notice of the proposed abandonment, 
published in the Kansas City Star on March 8, 2004, but the location 
of the bridge was correctly stated.
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    In addition to an exemption from 49 U.S.C. 10903, petitioner seeks 
exemption from 49 U.S.C. 10904 [offer of financial assistance (OFA) 
procedures] and 49 U.S.C. 10905 [public use conditions]. KCSR also 
seeks relief from the trail use provisions of the Board's regulations 
at 49 CFR 1152.29, which indicates that KCSR is not likely to be 
willing to enter into any negotiations for use of the line as a trail. 
In support, KCSR contends that exemption from these provisions is 
necessary to allow redevelopment of the River Market area by the City 
of Kansas City (the City) in a manner consistent with the surrounding 
community and the City's approved redevelopment plan for the area. 
These requests will be addressed in the final decision.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in KCSR's possession will be made available promptly to 
those requesting it.
    The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the 
conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line R. Co.--Abandonment--Goshen, 
360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).
    By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by July 27, 2004.
    Any OFA under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) will be due no later than 10 
days after service of a decision granting the petition for exemption. 
Each offer must be accompanied by a $1,100 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(25).
    All interested persons should be aware that, following abandonment 
of rail service and salvage of the line, the line may be suitable for 
other public use, including interim trail use. Unless the Board grants 
the requested exemption from public use provisions, any request for a 
public use condition under 49 CFR 1152.28 or for trail use/rail banking 
under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than May 10, 2004. Each trail 
use request must be accompanied by the filing fee, which is scheduled 
to increase to $200, effective April 28, 2004. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(27).\2\
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    \2\ See Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in 
Connection with Licensing and Related Services--2002 New Fees, STB 
Ex Parte No. 542 (Sub-No. 4) (STB served Mar. 29, 2004).
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-103 (Sub-No. 17X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) William 
A. Mullins, Baker & Miller, PLLC, 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Suite 
300, Washington, DC 20037. Replies to the KCSR petition are due on or 
before May 10, 2004.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Services at (202) 
565-1592 or refer to the full abandonment or discontinuance regulations 
at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning environmental issues may be 
directed to the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) at 
(202) 565-1539. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available 
through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-
8339.]
    An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement 
(EIS), if necessary) prepared by SEA, will be served upon all parties 
of record and upon any agencies or other persons who commented during 
its preparation. Other interested persons may contact SEA to obtain a 
copy of the EA (or EIS). EAs in these abandonment proceedings normally 
will be made available within 60 days of the filing of the petition. 
The deadline for submission of comments on the EA will generally be 
within 30 days of its service.
    Board decisions and notices are available on the Board's Web site 
at http://www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: April 20, 2004.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-9412 Filed 4-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P