[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 136 (Monday, July 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41256-41257]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14099]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-364 (Sub-No. 10X)]


Mid-Michigan Railroad, Inc.--Discontinuance of Service 
Exemption--in Kent County, MI

    On June 28, 2005, Mid-Michigan Railroad, Inc. (MMRR), filed with 
the Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the 
provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903. MMRR seeks to discontinue service over a 
1.50-mile line of railroad, extending from milepost 157.97 on MMRR's 
east-west rail line to the end of the line in Kent County, MI.\1\ The 
line traverses U.S. Postal Service ZIP Codes 49503 and 49504, and 
includes no stations.
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    \1\ The line was leased from the Central Michigan Railway 
Company (CMRY) by the Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad, Inc. (GRE), in 
1993. See Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad, Inc.--Purchase, Lease and 
Operation Exemption--Rail Lines of Central Michigan Railroad 
Company, Finance Docket No. 32297 (ICC served on July 26, 1993). GRE 
subsequently merged into MMRR. See RailTex, Inc., Mid-Michigan 
Railroad, Inc., Michigan Shore Railroad, Inc., and Grand Rapids 
Eastern Railroad, Inc.--Corporate Family Transaction Exemption, STB 
Finance Docket No. 33693 (ICC served Jan. 20, 1999). CMRY continues 
to own the assets that MMRR operates over, including, but not 
limited to, the track, ties, ballast, other track material and land. 
MMRR has no authority to alter, remove or dispose of any of the 
assets that are on the line. MMRR seeks discontinuance because The 
Grand Rapids Press, the only shipper on the line, has stopped using 
the line, moved its facility to another location and does not oppose 
the discontinuance.
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    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in the possession of MMRR 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 14, 2005. Any offer of financial assistance (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 OFA 
must

[[Page 41257]]

be accompanied by a $1,200 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).\2\
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    \2\ Because this is a discontinuance proceeding and not an 
abandonment, trail use/rail banking and public use conditions are 
not appropriate. Likewise, no environmental or historic 
documentation is required under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and 1105.8.
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-364 (Sub-No. 10X), and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Louis E. 
Gitomer, Ball Janik LLP, 1455 F Street, NW., Suite 225, Washington, DC 
20005. Replies to the petition are due on or before August 8, 2005.
    Persons seeking further information concerning discontinuance 
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 at (202) 565-
1539. (Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the 
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.)
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: July 12, 2005.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-14099 Filed 7-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P