[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 48 (Monday, March 12, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 14591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5780]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 6 (Sub-No. 479X)]


BNSF Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Page and Fremont 
Counties, Iowa

    On February 21, 2012, 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 a 5.95-
mile rail line between milepost 20.05 in Shenandoah and milepost 26.0 
in Farragut, in Page and Fremont Counties, Iowa.\1\ The line traverses 
United States Postal Service Zip Codes 51601, 51602, 51603, and 51639, 
and includes the station of Farragut.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ BNSF states that there is one customer on the line, Green 
Plains Shenandoah LLC (GPS). After abandonment, BNSF intends to 
convert a portion of the line between mileposts 20.05 and 21.90 to 
industry track and sell the track to GPS to stage trains.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to BNSF, the line does not 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 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 8, 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 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 April 2, 2012. 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. 479X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 
395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Karl Morell, Suite 
225, 655 15th Street NW., Washington, DC 20005. Replies to the petition 
are due on or before April 2, 2012.
    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 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 
presentation. 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 
www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: March 6, 2012.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2012-5780 Filed 3-9-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P