[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2301-2302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-234]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-1067 (Sub-No. 1X)]


Iowa Northwestern Railroad--Abandonment Exemption--in Osceola and 
Dickinson Counties, IA

    On December 27, 2005, General Railway Corporation, d/b/a Iowa 
Northwestern Railroad (IANW) filed with the Board a petition under 49 
U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to 
abandon a line of railroad known as the Iowa Northwestern Railroad, 
extending from milepost 235.25 near Lake Park, IA, to the end of the 
line at milepost 252.3 near Allendorf, IA, a distance of 17.05 miles in 
Osceola and Dickinson Counties, IA (the line). The stations of Harris 
(MP 240.5), Ocheyedan (MP 246.0) and Allendorf (MP 251.8) are located 
on the line. The line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 
51249, 51347, 51345, and 51354.
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in IANW's possession will be made available promptly to 
those requesting it.
    IANW states that no railroad employees will be affected by this 
action. Nevertheless, to ensure that is the case, 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 April 14, 2006.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) 
will be due no later than 10 days after

[[Page 2302]]

service of a decision granting the petition for exemption. Each OFA 
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 February 2, 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-1067 (Sub-No. 1X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) John F. 
Larkin, General Railway Corp. d/b/a Iowa Northwestern Railroad, 4814 
Douglas St., Omaha, NE 68132.
    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: January 5, 2006.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 06-234 Filed 1-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P