[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 164 (Friday, August 24, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 48730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16765]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Finance Docket No. 34075]


Six County Association of Governments--Construction and Operation 
Exemption--Rail Line Between Levan and Salina, Utah

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Preparation of Supplemental Information on Alternatives and 
Wetlands and Extension of Comment Period.

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SUMMARY: On July 30, 2001, the Six County Association of Governments 
(SCAOG) filed a Petition for Exemption with the Surface Transportation 
Board (Board) pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502 for authority to construct 
and operate a new rail line between Juab and Salina, Utah. The project 
involves approximately 43 miles of new rail line and ancillary 
facilities in Sanpete, Juab, and Sevier Counties that would connect the 
Union Pacific Railroad about 16 miles south of Nephi, near Juab, Utah, 
to a proposed coal transfer terminal facility about 0.5 mile southwest 
of Salina. The Proposed Action is known as the Central Utah Rail 
Project (CURP). Because the construction and operation of this project 
has the potential to result in significant environmental impacts, the 
Board's Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) prepared, and issued, a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on June 29, 2007. The 
comment period for the Draft EIS closed on August 22, 2007.
    Shortly before the end of the public comment period on the Draft 
EIS, however, SEA determined that additional information on 
alternatives and wetlands is warranted to ensure that those reviewing 
the document have all the information they need to comment effectively 
on the analysis contained in the Draft EIS. Therefore, SEA will prepare 
and issue Supplemental Information on Alternatives and Wetlands 
(Supplemental Information) to assist the public in its review of the 
proposed CURP project and extend the comment period on the Draft EIS.
    This notice is to inform individuals and agencies interested in or 
affected by the proposed CURP project that SEA will be issuing 
Supplemental Information in the near future. At that time, SEA will 
announce the availability of the Supplemental Information in the 
Federal Register and on the Board's Web site. SEA will also set the 
date for when comments on both the Supplemental Information and the 
Draft EIS are due.
    After the close of the extended comment period, SEA will prepare a 
Final EIS that considers comments received on both the Draft EIS and 
Supplemental Information. When considering whether to grant final 
approval of the proposed action, the Board will consider the DEIS, 
Supplemental Information, the Final EIS, and all environmental comments 
that are received.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phillis Johnson-Ball, (202) 245-0304. 
Federal Information Relay Service for the hearing impaired: 1-800-877-
8339.

    Decided: August 21, 2007.

    By the Board, Victoria Rutson, Chief, Section of Environmental 
Analysis.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7-16765 Filed 8-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P