[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 97 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23926-23927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-11875]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-55 (Sub-No. 694X)]


CSX Transportation, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in McMinn 
County, TN

    On May 1, 2009, CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), 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 6.4-mile rail line, known as 
the Athens Branch, on its Southern Region, Huntington-West Division, KD 
Subdivision between milepost OKW 327, at Englewood, and milepost OKW 
333.4, at Athens, in McMinn County, TN. The line traverses United 
States Postal Service Zip Codes 37329 and 37303, and includes the 
Athens station (milepost OKW 334).
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in CSXT'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 August 19, 2009.
    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).
    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 June 10, 2009. Each trail use 
request must be accompanied by the appropriate filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(27).\1\
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    \1\ Until June 3, 2009, the filing fee for a request for a trail 
use condition is $200. On June 4, 2009, that fee will increase to 
$250. See Regulations Governing Fees for Services Performed in 
Connection with Licensing and Related Services--2009 Update, STB Ex 
Parte No. 542 (Sub-No. 16) (STB served May 4, 2009).
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-55 (Sub-No. 694X), and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Louis E. 
Gitomer, Esq., Law Offices of Louis E. Gitomer, 600 Baltimore Avenue, 
Suite 301, Towson, MD 21204. Replies to the petition are due on or 
before June 10, 2009.
    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).

[[Page 23927]]

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: May 15, 2009.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Kulunie L. Cannon,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. E9-11875 Filed 5-20-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P