[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 25, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 43657]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18128]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 1101X]


Progressive Rail, Incorporated--Discontinuance of Service 
Exemption--in Barron County, WI

    On July 5, 2012 Progressive Rail, Incorporated (PGR) and Wisconsin 
Central Ltd. (WCL) (collectively, Petitioners) 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 rail service provided by PGR over 
approximately 23.97 miles of rail line in Barron County, Wis. (the 
Lines), consisting of: (1) 16.92 miles of rail line between milepost 
80.88 at or near Almena and milepost 97.80 at or near Cameron, and (2) 
7.05 miles of rail line between milepost 49.0 at or near Cameron and 
milepost 56.05 at or near Rice Lake. The Lines are owned by WCL and 
have been operated by PGR since 2004 under lease from WCL.\1\ WCL 
intends to resume operating the Lines itself. The Lines traverse U.S. 
Postal Service Zip Codes 54805, 54812, 54822, and 54868. The Lines 
include the stations of Almena (MP 81.0), Poskin (MP 85.4), Barron (MP 
91.10), Cameron (MP 96.1), and Rice Lake (MP 56.05).
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    \1\ See Progressive Rail, Inc.--Lease & Operation Exemption--
Rail Lines of Wis. Cent., Ltd., FD 34600 (STB served Nov. 12, 2004).
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    WCL states that the Lines do not contain any federally granted 
rights-of-way. Any documentation in Petitioners' 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 October 23, 2012.
    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).\2\
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    \2\ Because this is a discontinuance proceeding and not an 
abandonment proceeding, 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 
1101X and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 395 E 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, and (2) David A. Hirsh, Harkins 
Cunningham LLP, 1700 K Street NW., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20006-
3804. Replies to the petition are due on or before August 20, 2012.
    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 
``www.stb.dot.gov.''

    Decided: July 19, 2012. By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, 
Director, Office of Proceedings.
Derrick A. Gardner,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2012-18128 Filed 7-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P