[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 172 (Thursday, September 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51698-51699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20431]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-497 (Sub-No. 4X)]


Minnesota Northern Railroad, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Norman County, MN

    On August 15, 2008, Minnesota Northern Railroad, Inc. (MNN) 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 19.2-mile portion of its ``P 
Line'' subdivision between milepost 21.0, at or near Perley, and 
milepost 40.2, at the north end of the Marsh River Bridge south of 
Shelly, in Norman County, MN. The line traverses United States Postal 
Service Zip Codes 56548, 56550, 56574, and 56581, and includes the 
stations of Perley (milepost 21.0), Hendrum (milepost 27.4), and 
Halstad (milepost 33.5).
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in MNN'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 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 December 3, 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 $1,500 
filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Effective July 18, 2008, the filing fee for an OFA increased 
to $1,500. See Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in 
Connection with Licensing and Related Services--2008 Update, STB Ex 
Parte No. 542 (Sub-No. 15) (STB served June 18, 2008).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 September 24, 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-497(Sub-No. 4X), and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Thomas F. 
McFarland, 208 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1890, Chicago, IL 60604-
1112. Replies to the petition are due on or beforeSeptember 24, 2008.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Assistance, 
Governmental Affairs, and Compliance at (202) 245-0238 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

[[Page 51699]]

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 
www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: August 27, 2008.

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.

Anne K. Quinlan,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-20431 Filed 9-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P