[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 75860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24305]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-988X]


Nebkota Railway, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in Sheridan and 
Cherry Counties, NE

    On December 1, 2005, Nebkota Railway, Inc. (NRI) 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 43-mile 
portion of its line of railroad extending from milepost 374 at 
Rushville 69360 to the end of the line at milepost 331 at Merriman 
69218 in Sheridan and Cherry Counties, NE. The line traverses U.S. 
Postal Service Zip Codes 69218, 69343, and 69360, and it includes the 
stations of Clinton, Gordon, Irwin and Merriman.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in NRI'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 March 21, 2006.
    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 offer must be accompanied by a $1,200 
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 January 10, 2006. 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-988X, and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, and (2) Fritz R. Kahn, Fritz R. 
Kahn, P.C., 1920 N Street, NW., Washington, DC 20036-1601. Replies to 
NRI's petition are due on or before January 10, 2006.
    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 our Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: December 15, 2005.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-24305 Filed 12-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P