[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 227 (Friday, November 25, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 72752]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30346]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. FD 35095]


Alaska Railroad Corporation--Construction and Operation 
Exemption--A Rail Line Extension to Port MacKenzie, AK

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of construction and operation exemption.

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SUMMARY: The Board is granting an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 from 
the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10901 for Alaska Railroad 
Corporation (ARRC) to construct and operate an approximately 35-mile 
rail line connecting the Port MacKenzie District in south-central 
Alaska to a point on ARRC's existing main line near Houston, Alaska. 
The rail line would provide freight services between Port MacKenzie and 
the interior of Alaska and would support Port MacKenzie's continuing 
development as an intermodal and bulk material resources export and 
import facility. This exemption is subject to environmental mitigation 
conditions and the condition that ARRC build the route designated as 
environmentally preferable.

DATES: The exemption will be effective on December 21, 2011; petitions 
for reconsideration must be filed by December 12, 2011.

ADDRESSES: An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to 
Docket No. FD 35095, must be filed with the Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, 1 copy 
of each filing in this proceeding must be served on petitioner's 
representative: Kathryn Kusske Floyd, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, 1801 K 
Street NW., Suite 750, Washington, DC 20006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julia Farr, (202) 245-0359.
    Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the 
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at: 1-(800) 877-8339.
    Copies of written comments will be available for viewing and self-
copying at the Board's Public Docket Room, Room 131, and will be posted 
to the Board's Web site.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Additional information is contained in the 
Board's decision, which is available on our Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov.

    By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Begeman, and 
Commissioner Mulvey. Commissioner Mulvey dissented with a separate 
expression.

     Decided: November 17, 2011.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2011-30346 Filed 11-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P