[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 17, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12808-12809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5795]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-1043 (Sub-No. 1)]


Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway, Ltd.--Discontinuance of 
Service and Abandonment--In Aroostook and Penobscot Counties, ME

    On February 25, 2010, Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway, Ltd. 
(MMA) filed with the Board an application \1\ for permission to abandon 
the following lines of railroad:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The State of Maine, by and through its Department of 
Transportation, filed a motion to reject the application on March 
11, 2010. The Board will address the motion in a separate decision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) The Madawaska Subdivision, consisting of approximately 151 
miles of line between milepost 109 near Millinocket and milepost 260 
near Madawaska in Penobscot and Aroostook Counties, which traverses 
United States Postal Service ZIP Codes 04462, 04460, 04777, 04776, 
04747, 04763, 04780, 04759, 04732, 04775, 04768, 04739, 04781, 04743, 
04745, and 04756; \2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ MMA lists the stations on the lines it proposes to abandon 
in Exhibit 5 of its application. The Madawaska Subdivision includes 
the stations of Grindstone, Stacyville, Serman, Crystal, Belvedere, 
Island Falls, Dyer Brook, Oakfield, Smyrna Mills, Weeksboro, Howe 
Brook, St. Croix, Masardis, Levesque, Squa Pan, Ashland, Sheridan, 
Wrightville, Moody, Skerry, Portage, Nixon, Winterville, Eagle Lake 
Wallagrass, Soldier Point, Fort Kent, Frenchville, and Cleveland.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) The Presque Isle Subdivision, consisting of approximately 25.3 
miles of line between milepost 0.0 near Squa Pan and milepost 25.3 near 
Presque Isle in Aroostook County, which traverses United States Postal 
Service ZIP Codes 04732, 04757, and 04769; \3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ This line includes the stations of Squa Pan, Chapman, 
Mapleton, Skyway Jct., and Presque Isle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) The Fort Fairfield Subdivision, consisting of approximately 10 
miles of line between milepost 0.0 near Presque Isle and milepost 10.0 
near Easton in Aroostook County, which traverses United States Postal 
Service ZIP Codes 04769, 04742, and 04740; \4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ This line includes the stations of Presque Isle, Phair, and 
Easton.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) The Limestone Subdivision, consisting of approximately 29.85 
miles of line between milepost 0.0 near Presque Isle and milepost 29.85 
near Limestone in Aroostook County, which traverses United States 
Postal Service ZIP Codes 04769, 04736, 04742, and 04750; \5\ and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ This line includes the stations of Presque Isle, Industrial, 
Caribou, Macneil, Goodrich, and Limestone.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (5) The Houlton Subdivision, consisting of approximately 16.9 miles 
of line between milepost 0.0 near Oakfield and milepost 16.9 near 
Houlton in Aroostook County, which traverses United States Postal 
Service ZIP Codes 04763, 04761, and 04730.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ This line includes the stations of Oakfield, Ludlow, New 
Limerick, and Houlton.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The lines do not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in MMA's possession will be made available promptly to 
those requesting it. MMA's entire case for abandonment was filed with 
the application.
    The lines of railroad have appeared on the applicant's system 
diagram map since August 28, 2009.
    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).
    Any interested person may file with the Surface Transportation 
Board written comments concerning the proposed abandonment or protests 
(including the protestant's entire opposition case), by April 12, 2010. 
All interested persons should be aware that, following any abandonment 
of rail service and salvage of the lines, the lines may be suitable for 
other public use, including interim trail use. Any request for a public 
use condition under 49 U.S.C. 10905 (49 CFR 1152.28) and any request 
for a trail use condition under 16 U.S.C. 1247(d) (49 CFR 1152.29) must 
be filed by April 12, 2010. Each trail use request must be accompanied 
by a $250 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27). Applicant's reply to 
any opposition statements and its response to trail use requests must 
be filed by April 26, 2010. See 49 CFR 1152.26(a). A final decision 
will be issued by June 15, 2010.
    Persons opposing the proposed abandonment who wish to participate 
actively and fully in the process should file a protest. Persons who 
may oppose the abandonment but who do not wish to participate fully in 
the process by submitting verified statements of witnesses containing 
detailed evidence should file comments. Persons seeking information 
concerning the filing of protests should refer to 49 CFR 1152.25. 
Persons interested only in seeking public use or trail use conditions 
should also file comments.
    In addition, a commenting party or protestant may provide: (i) An 
offer of financial assistance (OFA) for continued rail service, 
pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10904 (due 120 days after the application is 
filed or 10 days after the application is granted by the Board, 
whichever occurs sooner); (ii) recommended provisions for protection of 
the interests of employees; (iii) a request for a public use condition 
under 49 U.S.C. 10905; and (iv) a statement pertaining to prospective 
use of the right-of-way for interim trail use and rail banking under 16 
U.S.C. 1247(d) and 49 CFR 1152.29.
    Written comments and protests, including all requests for public 
use and trail use conditions, must indicate the proceeding designation 
STB Docket No. AB-1043 (Sub-No. 1) and must be sent to: (1) Surface 
Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, and 
(2) James E. Howard, One Thompson Square, Suite 201, Charlestown, MA 
02129. The original and 10 copies of all comments or protests shall be 
filed with the Board with a certificate of service. Except as otherwise 
set forth in 49 CFR 1152, every document filed with the Board must be 
served on all parties to the abandonment proceeding. 49 CFR 1104.12(a).
    The lines sought to be abandoned will be available for subsidy or 
sale for continued rail use, if the Board decides to permit the 
abandonment, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations (49 
U.S.C. 10904 and 49 CFR 1152.27). Each OFA must be accompanied by a 
$1,500 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25). No subsidy arrangement 
approved under 49 U.S.C. 10904 shall remain in effect for more than 1 
year unless otherwise mutually

[[Page 12809]]

agreed by the parties (49 U.S.C. 10904(f)(4)(B)). Applicant will 
promptly provide upon request to each interested party an estimate of 
the subsidy and minimum purchase price required to keep the lines in 
operation. MMA's representative to whom inquiries may be made 
concerning sale or subsidy terms is set forth above.
    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/discontinuance regulations at 49 CFR part 1152. 
Questions concerning environmental issues may be directed to 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. Any other persons who would like to obtain a copy of the 
EA (or EIS) may contact SEA. EAs in this type of abandonment proceeding 
normally will be made available within 33 days of the filing of the 
application. The deadline for submission of comments on the EA will 
generally be within 30 days of its service. The comments received will 
be addressed in the Board's decision. A supplemental EA or EIS may be 
issued where appropriate.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: March 12, 2010.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Kulunie L. Cannon,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2010-5795 Filed 3-16-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P