[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71124-71125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29592]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 1076 (Sub-No. 1X)]


Caddo Valley Railroad Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Pike and 
Clark Counties, AR

    On October 27, 2011, Caddo Valley Railroad Company (CVRR) 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 a segment of the Norman Branch Line extending between milepost 
429.45, near Gurdon, and milepost 447, near Antoine, a distance of 
17.55 miles, in Pike and Clark Counties, Ark. (the line).\1\ The line 
traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 71943 and 71922, and 
includes the stations of Summit (milepost 433.1), Okolona (milepost 
441.0), and Pike City Junction (milepost 446.5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ On November 9, 2011, CVRR filed a letter with the Board 
attaching a letter dated October 7, 2011, from counsel for Arkansas 
Midland Railroad Company, Inc. (AKMD). AKMD notes that CVRR acquired 
the Norman Branch, which includes the line at issue here, from AKMD 
under the Board's feeder line statute at 49 U.S.C. 10907. See Caddo 
Antoine & Little Mo. R.R.--Feeder Line Acquis.--Ark. Midland R.R. 
Co. Line Between Gurdon & Birds Mill, Ark., 4 S.T.B. 326 (1999). 
AKMD further states that on September 29, 2011, AKMD reacquired from 
CVRR the segment of the Norman Branch between milepost 426.88 in 
Gurdon and milepost 429.45 north of Gurdon and, as part of the same 
transaction, waived its statutory right of first refusal with 
respect to the rest of the Norman Branch. See 49 U.S.C. 10907(h).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CVRR states that, based on information in CVRR's possession, the 
line does not contain Federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in CVRR'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 February 14, 2012.
    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

[[Page 71125]]

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 December 6, 2011. Each trail 
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 
1076 (Sub-No. 1X), and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Richard H. 
Streeter, 5255 Partridge Lane NW., Washington, DC 20016. Replies to the 
petition are due on or before December 6, 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 regulations at 49 CFR pt. 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.
    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: November 10, 2011.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2011-29592 Filed 11-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P