[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 47 (Monday, March 10, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12796-12797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-4421]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-398 (Sub-No. 7X)]


San Joaquin Valley Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Tulare County, CA

    On February 19, 2008, San Joaquin Valley Railroad Company (SJVR) 
filed with the Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption 
from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon a 30.57-mile portion 
of the South Exeter Branch between milepost 268.60 at Strathmore, CA, 
and milepost 299.17 at Jovista, CA, in Tulare County, CA. The line 
traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 93218, 93221, 93247, 
93257, 93258, 93261, 93267, and 93270, and includes the stations of 
Strathmore (milepost 268.60), Porterville (milepost 274.80), Elmco 
(milepost 280.10), Ultra (milepost 282.00), Terra Bella (milepost 
282.60), Ducor (milepost 287.10), Richgrove (milepost 294.90), and 
Jovista (milepost 299.17).
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in SJVR'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).
    SJVR states that the proposed abandonment may generate comments or 
replies, and it requests that the Board adopt a procedural schedule in 
this proceeding to permit SJVR to file rebuttal to any comments or 
replies received. Rather than address the request at this time, 
however, the Board

[[Page 12797]]

will instead allow SJVR to raise the matter again, if comments and 
replies in response to the petition are actually filed. Comments and 
replies to the petition for exemption will be due March 31, 2008. Once 
comments or replies are filed, SJVR may request leave to file rebuttal.
    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 June 6, 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).
    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 March 31, 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-398 (Sub-No. 7X), and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Louis E. 
Gitomer, 600 Baltimore Ave., Suite 301, Towson, MD 21204. As noted 
above, replies to the petition are due on or before March 31, 2008.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Government and Public 
Affairs 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: February 28, 2008.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Anne K. Quinlan,
Acting Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-4421 Filed 3-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P