[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 118 (Monday, June 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35946-35947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15187]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 6; Sub-No. 477X]


BNSF Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Los Angeles 
County, CA.

    On May 31, 2011, BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) 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 its rail 
freight service easement over 4.85 miles of rail line owned by Los 
Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) extending 
between milepost 119.35, just east of the San Gabriel River, in 
Irwindale, and milepost 124.20, just east of the Santa Anita Blvd. 
grade crossing, in Arcadia, in Los Angeles County, CA (the Line). The 
Line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 91006, 91007, 
91010, 91016, 91702, and 91706. There are no rail stations on the Line.
    In addition to an exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903, 
NSR seeks exemption from 49 U.S.C. 10904 (offer of financial assistance 
(OFA) procedures) and 49 U.S.C. 10905 (public use conditions). In 
support, BNSF contends that an exemption from these provisions is 
necessary to permit LACMTA to extend light rail passenger service over 
the Line. These requests will be addressed in the final decision.
    BNSF states that, based on information in its possession, the Line 
does contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in 
BNSF'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 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 September 16, 2011.
    Any 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 July 11, 2011. Each trail use 
request must be accompanied by a $250 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(27).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to Docket No. AB 
6 (Sub-No. 477X), and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Karl 
Morell, Of Counsel, Ball Janik LLP, 655 Fifteenth Street, NW., Suite 
225, Washington, DC 20005. Replies to the BNSF petition are due on or 
before July 11, 2011.
    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 pt. 1152. 
Questions concerning environmental issues may be directed to the 
Board's Office of Environmental

[[Page 35947]]

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.
    An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement 
(EIS), if necessary) prepared by OEA 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 OEA 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: June 14, 2011.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2011-15187 Filed 6-17-11; 8:45 am]
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