[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 23, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68300-68301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30473]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-295 (Sub-No. 7X)]


The Indiana Rail Road Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Martin 
and Lawrence Counties, IN

    On December 7, 2009, the Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD), filed 
with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 
U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to 
abandon 22.80 miles of rail line in Martin and Lawrence Counties, IN, 
comprised of the Crane-Bedford Line extending from milepost 241.35 near 
Crane, IN, to milepost 262.50 in Bedford, IN, and the Bedford 
Industrial Track extending from Bedford Industrial Track railroad 
milepost 0.00 at Crane-Bedford milepost 262.40, to Bedford Industrial 
Track railroad milepost 1.65. The line traverses U.S. Postal Service 
Zip Codes 47581, 47470, and 47421, and includes the stations of 
Williams at milepost 251.40 and Bedford at milepost 262.50.
    INDR states that the line does not contain Federally granted 
rights-of-way. Any documentation in INRD'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 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 March 26, 2010.\1\
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    \1\ In its petition, INRD requests that the Board render its 
decision on the petition immediately effective if it is issued after 
February 28, 2010. This request will be addressed in the decision on 
the merits of the petition.
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    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.\2\ Any

[[Page 68301]]

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 January 
12, 2010.\3\ Each trail use request must be accompanied by a $250 
filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27).
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    \2\ INRD notes that it acquired its interest in the line by quit 
claim. INRD states that it is investigating the nature of its title 
to the right-of-way, and that the outcome of this investigation may 
affect how it chooses to proceed with regard to trail use 
negotiations. INRD also states that part of the Crane-Bedford Line 
runs through the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Crane, and that 
security requirements may limit the availability of the right-of-way 
at that location.
    \3\ INRD also petitions for exemption from any condition imposed 
under 49 U.S.C. 10905 that would prohibit or delay the recovery and 
reuse of the line's rail, ties, and other track materials and 
ballast. The Board will address this request in the decision on the 
merits, if necessary.
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-295 (Sub-No. 7X), and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, and (2) John 
Broadley, John H. Broadley & Associates, P.C., 1054 31st Street, NW., 
Suite 200, Washington, DC 20007. Replies to INRD's petition are due on 
or before January 12, 2010.
    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 normally will 
be made available within 60 days of the filing of the petition. The 
deadline for submission of comments on the EA generally will be within 
30 days of its service.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at 
``http://www.stb.dot.gov.''

    Decided: December 18, 2009.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Kulunie L. Cannon,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. E9-30473 Filed 12-22-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P