[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 217 (Friday, November 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 66290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26552]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Finance Docket No. 34936]


Port of Moses Lake--Construction Exemption--Moses Lake, WA [STB 
Finance Docket No. 34936 (Sub-No. 1)]; Port of Moses Lake--Acquisition 
Exemption--Moses Lake, WA

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board and Washington State Department of 
Transportation.

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

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SUMMARY: By petition filed on August 28, 2008, the Port of Moses Lake 
(Port) seeks an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 from the prior approval 
requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10901 to construct rail lines in Grant 
County, Washington. In the same petition, the Port also seeks an 
exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 from the prior approval requirements of 
49 U.S.C. 10901 to acquire an existing segment of rail line from 
Columbia Basin Railroad Company, Inc. (CBRW). The Board, through its 
Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA), and the Washington State 
Department of Transportation (WSDOT) are co-lead agencies responsible 
for the environmental review of the proposed rail project and the 
preparation of the Environmental Assessment (EA).
    The proposed project, known as the Northern Columbia Basin Railroad 
Project, includes the construction of two new rail line segments and 
the acquisition and refurbishment of an existing rail segment to 
provide rail access to land designated and zoned for industrial uses 
along Wheeler Road (Road 3 NE) and at the Grant County International 
Airport (GCIA). The entire proposed route would extend approximately 
11.5 miles.
    For Segment 1, the Port proposes to construct a rail line that 
would allow trains to bypass downtown Moses Lake and would provide 
access to the industrial areas along Wheeler Road (Road 3 NE), 
including one of two alternatives for a bridge crossing at Parker Horn 
or Crab Creek. For Segment 2, the Port proposes to extend the existing 
track (Segment 3), which currently terminates just south of the GCIA, 
to the industrial lands located east of the GCIA. For Segment 3, the 
Port proposes to acquire and rehabilitate an existing rail line that is 
currently owned by CBRW. Goods to be shipped would vary depending on 
the specific industries that may locate along the route, but would 
likely consist of steel, manufactured parts, and specialty chemicals. 
The proposed rail route would accommodate a maximum of two trains (one 
round trip) per day for the foreseeable future.
    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 going to ``E-LIBRARY,'' clicking on the ``Decisions 
and Notices'' link, and then searching by the Service Date (November 7, 
2008) or Docket Number (FD 34936). SEA, working with WSDOT, will 
consider all comments received in 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christa Dean, Attorney and Project 
Manager, at (202) 245-0299; e-mail: [email protected], or 
Elizabeth Phinney, WSDOT Rail Environmental Manager, at (360) 705-7902; 
e-mail: [email protected]. Federal Information Relay Service for the 
hearing impaired: 1-800-877-8339.

DATES: The EA is available for public review and comment. All comments 
must be submitted or post-marked by December 8, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Christa Dean, Surface 
Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW., Room 1108, Washington, DC 
20423.
    Please reference STB Docket No. 34992 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.

    Decided: November 7, 2008.

    By the Board, Victoria Rutson, Chief, Section of Environmental 
Analysis.
Kulunie L. Cannon,
Clearance Clerk.
 [FR Doc. E8-26552 Filed 11-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P