[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 127 (Friday, July 2, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 40471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14964]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-6 (Sub-No. 421X)]


The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company-Abandonment 
Exemption-in Crow Wing County, MN

    On June 14, 2004, the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway 
Company (BNSF) filed with the Surface Transportation Board a petition 
under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 
10903 to abandon a 1.60-mile line of railroad extending from milepost 
0.00 to milepost 1.60 in and near Brainerd, in Crow Wing County, MN. 
The line traverses United States Postal Service ZIP Code 56401.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in BNSF'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 issuing this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by October 1, 2004.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) will be due no later than 
10 days after service of a decision granting the petition for 
exemption. See 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2). Each OFA 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. 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 July 22, 2004. Each trail use 
request must be accompanied by a $200 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(27).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-6 (Sub-No. 421X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Michael 
Smith, 311 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60606-6677. Replies 
to the BNSF petition are due on or before July 22, 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 after 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 our Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: June 24, 2004.

    By the Board, David M. Director, Office of Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-14964 Filed 7-1-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P