[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 19, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 14874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5548]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-398 (Sub-No. 8X)]


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

    On February 28, 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 9.20-mile portion 
of its South Exeter Branch extending between milepost 259.40, near 
Exeter, and milepost 268.60, near Strathmore, in Tulare County, CA. The 
line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 93221, 93247, and 
93267, and includes the stations of Strathmore and Lindsay.
    The line sought to be abandoned 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).
    Petitioner indicates that the proposed abandonment may generate 
comments, and it requests that the Board adopt a procedural schedule to 
allow it to file rebuttal to any comments received. Instead of 
addressing the request at this time, the Board will allow petitioner 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 are due on or before April 8, 2008. Once comments and replies 
are filed, SJVR 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 June 17, 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 April 8, 2008. Each trail use 
request must be accompanied by a $200 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(27)(i).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-398 (Sub-No. 8X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Louis E. 
Gitomer, 600 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 301, Towson, MD 21204.
    Persons seeking further information concerning the abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Governmental 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 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: March 13, 2008.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Anne K. Quinlan,
Acting Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-5548 Filed 3-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P