[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57631-57632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19868]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-88 (Sub-No. 12X)]


Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--
in Butler County, PA

    On September 19, 2007, Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad Company 
(B&LE) filed with the Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for 
exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 \1\ to abandon a 3.67-
mile line of railroad, between milepost 0.00 and milepost 3.67, in 
Branchton, Butler County, PA. The line traverses United States Postal 
Service Zip Codes 16020 and 16021, and includes the stations of 
Branchton Yard (milepost 0.00), Bovard (milepost 0.98), Nelsons 
(milepost 2.78) and Osbornes (milepost 3.62).
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    \1\ Originally, B&LE also sought exemption from the Offer of 
Financial Assistance provisions of section 10904 and the Public Use 
provisions of section 10905. However, by facsimile filed on October 
3, 2007, B&LE modified its filing to seek exemption from only 
section 10903.
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    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in B&LE'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 January 7, 2008.
    Any 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 be accompanied by a $1,300 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(25).

[[Page 57632]]

    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 October 29, 2007. 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-88 (Sub-No. 12X), and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Thomas J. 
Healey, 17641 S. Ashland Ave., Homewood, IL 60430-1345. Replies to the 
petition are due on or before October 29, 2007.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Services at (202) 
245-0230 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) 245-0305. [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.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.

    Decided: October 3, 2007.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E7-19868 Filed 10-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P