[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 16475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6666]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 1011 (Sub-No. 1X)]


Northern Lines Railway, LLC--Discontinuance of Service 
Exemption--in Stearns County, MN

    On March 3, 2011, Northern Lines Railway, LLC (NLR) filed with the 
Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the 
provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to discontinue service over approximately 
7.05 miles of rail line owned by BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) located 
between milepost 9.16 at Rockville and milepost 16.21 at Cold Spring, 
in Stearns County, Minn. (the Line).\1\ The Line traverses U.S. Postal 
Service Zip Codes 56369 and 56320 and includes the station of Cold 
Spring.\2\
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    \1\ In 2005, NLR was authorized to lease and operate the Line 
along with other lines. N. Lines Ry.--Lease and Operation 
Exemption--Burlington N. and Santa Fe Ry., FD 34627 (STB served Jan. 
6, 2005).
    \2\ This proceeding is related to a petition for exemption filed 
in BNSF Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Stearns County, 
Minn., AB 6 (Sub-No. 472X). There, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b), 
the Board served and published a notice in the Federal Register on 
February 18, 2011 (76 FR 9,634), instituting a proceeding in which 
BNSF is seeking an exemption to abandon the Line.
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    NLR states that it has been advised by BNSF that the Line does not 
contain any federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in NLR'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 Railroad--Abandonment Portion 
Goshen Branch Between Firth & Ammon, in Bingham & Bonneville Counties, 
Idaho, 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 June 21, 2011.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) 
to subsidize continued rail service will be due no later than 10 days 
after service of a decision granting the petition for exemption. Each 
offer must be accompanied by a $1,500 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(25).\3\
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    \3\ Because this is a discontinuance proceeding and not an 
abandonment, trail use/rail banking and public use conditions are 
not appropriate. Similarly, no environmental or historic 
documentation is required under 49 CFR 1105.6(c)(2) and 1105.8.
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to Docket No. AB 
1011 (Sub-No. 1X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, and (2) Karl 
Morell, Ball Janik LLP, 1455 F Street, NW., Suite 225, Washington, DC 
20005. Replies to the petition are due on or before April 12, 2011.
    Persons seeking further information concerning discontinuance 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Assistance, 
Governmental Affairs, and Compliance at (202) 245-0238 or refer to the 
full abandonment and discontinuance regulations at 49 CFR part 1152. 
Questions concerning environmental issues may be directed to the 
Board's Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) at (202) 245-0305. 
Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: March 16, 2011.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2011-6666 Filed 3-22-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P