[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 209 (Tuesday, October 30, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 61421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21163]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-290 (Sub-No. 291X)]


Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Grant 
County, IN

    On October 10, 2007, Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS) 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 in order to permit 
abandonment of 3.66 miles of rail line between mileposts TS 153.35 and 
TS 157.01 at Marion, in Grant County, IN (the line).\1\ The line 
traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 46952 and 46953, and includes 
the stations of Kiley and Marion. NS states that service to Marion will 
continue via other NS lines.
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    \1\ In its environmental and historic reports and its newspaper 
notice, NS states that the proposed abandonment will cover 3.91 
miles of rail line, between mileposts TS 153.10 and TS 157.01. Prior 
to filing its petition for exemption, NS determined that it still 
required the use of the segment between mileposts TS 153.10 and TS 
153.35, and therefore would seek an abandonment exemption only for 
the shorter segment described above. NS states in its petition that 
it has notified recipients of the environmental and historic reports 
in writing about the change.
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    The line does not contain Federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in NS'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 January 28, 2008.
    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 be accompanied by a $1,300 
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 November 26, 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-290 (Sub-No. 291X), and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) James R. 
Paschall, Senior General Attorney, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Three 
Commercial Place, Norfolk, VA 23510-2191. Replies to the petition are 
due on or before November 26, 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.

    Decided: October 22, 2007.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7-21163 Filed 10-29-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P