[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 37 (Monday, February 25, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10094-10095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3480]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Finance Docket No. 34836]


Arizona Eastern Railway--Construction and Operation Exemption--In 
Graham County, Arizona

AGENCIES: Lead: Surface Transportation Board. Cooperating: Federal 
Railroad Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment and Request 
for Public Review and Comment.

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SUMMARY: On August 4, 2006, the Arizona Eastern Railway (AZER) filed a

[[Page 10095]]

petition with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) seeking an 
exemption under 49 United States Code (U.S.C.) 10502 from prior 
approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10901 for authority to construct and 
operate 12 miles of new rail line in Graham County, Arizona (AZ). The 
Board, through its Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) and in 
cooperation with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), is the lead 
agency responsible for the preparation of the Environmental Assessment 
(EA).
    The Proposed Action is the construction and operation of a new rail 
line to connect the Phelps Dodge Dos Pobres Mine (Mine) with the 
existing 133.5-mile AZER line that operates between Miami, AZ and 
Bowie, AZ. The proposed rail line would begin near Safford, AZ, at AZER 
milepost 1133.5, known as the ``Lone Star Junction'' and proceed 
northerly for 12.1 miles, terminating at the Mine. The proposed rail 
line would cross agricultural and undeveloped lands, the Gila River, 
and then would turn in a northeast direction toward the Safford 
Municipal Airport. The proposed rail line would cross U.S. Highway 70 
west of the San Simon River and would also cross Solomon Road, Airport 
Road, Lone Star Mountain Road, San Juan Road, and Phelps Dodge Road. 
The crossing at U.S. Highway 70 would consist of a signalized at-grade 
crossing, including warning lights and automated gates. The other 
roadway crossings, where traffic volumes are generally low, would 
consist of signed at-grade crossings with warning lights. The proposed 
rail line would accommodate one round trip per day, seven days per 
week, each day of the year. Each trip would consist of 20 to 25 
railcars. Principal commodities to be handled include sulfuric acid, 
copper, and copper-related products.
    Based on the information provided from all sources to date and its 
independent analysis, SEA preliminarily concludes that construction and 
operation of the proposed rail line would not have significant 
environmental impacts if the Board imposes and AZER implements the 
recommended mitigation measures set forth in the EA.
    Copies of the EA have been served on all interested parties and 
will be made available to additional parties upon request. The entire 
EA is also available for review on the Board's Web site (http://www.stb.dot.gov) by clicking on the ``Decisions and Notices'' link, 
then ``E-LIBRARY'' and searching by the Service Date (February 25, 
2008) or Docket Number (FD 34836). SEA, working with FRA, will consider 
all comments received when making its final recommendations to the 
Board. The Board will then consider SEA's final recommendations and the 
complete environmental record in making its final decision in this 
proceeding.

DATES: The EA is available for public review and comment. All faxed and 
electronic comments must be submitted by March 31, 2008; comments sent 
by mail must be postmarked by March 31, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments (an original and two copies) to: Diana 
Wood, Section of Environmental Analysis, Surface Transportation Board, 
Case Control Unit, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423.
    Please reference STB Finance Docket No. 34836 in all 
correspondence. Comments on the EA may also be filed electronically on 
the Board's Web site, http://www.stb.dot.gov, by clicking on the ``E-
FILING'' link.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diana Wood, SEA Project Manager, at 
(202) 245-0302; e-mail: [email protected]. Federal Information Relay 
Service for the hearing impaired: 1-800-877-8339.

    Decided: February 25, 2008.

    By the Board, Victoria Rutson, Chief, Section of Environmental 
Analysis.
Anne K. Quinlan,
Acting Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-3480 Filed 2-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P