[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 241 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71483-71484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24311]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-364 (Sub-No. 11X)]


Mid-Michigan Railroad, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--In Kent and 
Montcalm Counties, MI

    On November 27, 2007, Mid-Michigan Railroad, Inc. (MMRR or 
petitioner), 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 permit the abandonment of a 24.70-mile rail line located 
between milepost 103.20 in Lowell and milepost 78.50 in Greenville at 
the end of the line, in Kent and Montcalm Counties, MI. The line 
traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 48809, 48838, 48887, and 49331, 
and

[[Page 71484]]

includes the stations of Lowell, Belding, and Greenville.
    In addition to an exemption from 49 U.S.C. 10903, MMRR seeks an 
exemption from 49 U.S.C. 10904 [offer of financial assistance (OFA) 
procedures]. In support, MMRR states that it has entered a Memorandum 
of Understanding with the West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition 
(WMTGC) to sell the line to WMTGC for the public purpose of converting 
it to interim trail use/rail banking. This request will be addressed in 
the final decision.
    MMRR states that, based on information in its possession, the line 
does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in 
MMRR'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).
    Petitioner believes that the proposed abandonment may generate 
comments and requests that the Board adopt a procedural schedule in 
this proceeding to permit MMRR to file rebuttal to any reply received. 
Rather than address the request at this time, however, the Board will 
instead allow petitioner to raise the matter again, if it wishes, once 
comments and replies in response to the petition have actually been 
filed. Comments and replies to the petition for exemption will be due 
January 11, 2008. Once comments or replies have been filed, MMRR may 
request leave to file rebuttal.
    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 14, 2008, unless the Board grants the requested 
exemption from the OFA process.
    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, 
unless the Board grants the requested exemption from the OFA process. 
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 January 7, 2008. 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-364 (Sub-No. 11X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Louis E. 
Gitomer, Law Offices of Louis E. Gitomer, 600 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 
301, Towson, MD 21204.
    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: December 11, 2007.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7-24311 Filed 12-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P