[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 9, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1935-1936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00243]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 33 (Sub-No. 306X); Docket No. AB 1091X]


Union Pacific Railroad Company--Abandonment and Discontinuance 
Exemption--in Cameron County, TX; Brownsville and Matamoras Bridge 
Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Cameron County, TX

    On December 20, 2012, Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) and 
Brownsville and Matamoras Bridge Company (B&M) (collectively, 
Petitioners) jointly filed with the Surface Transportation Board a 
petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 
U.S.C. 10903 to permit: (1) UP to abandon and discontinue the portion 
of UP's Brownsville Subdivision from milepost 7.4 at Olmito Junction to 
milepost 0.22 at Brownsville, Tex. (UP's Brownsville Subdivision); and 
(2) B&M to abandon its 0.8 mile line from its connection to UP's 
Brownsville Subdivision near UP milepost 0.41 to the international 
border with Mexico located near the center-point of B&M's bridge at 
Brownsville (B&M Bridge Line), a total distance of 7.98 miles in 
Cameron County, Tex. (collectively, the Line). The Line traverses 
United States Postal Service Zip Code 78520 and includes no stations.
    In addition to an exemption from the prior approval requirements of 
49 U.S.C. 10903, Petitioners seek an exemption from 49 U.S.C. 10904 
(offer of financial assistance procedures) and 10905 (public use 
provisions). In support, Petitioners state that no shippers are served 
by the Line and that there is an agreement in principle that, following 
abandonment, UP's Brownsville Subdivision will be transferred to 
Cameron County, Tex., and/or the City of Brownsville, Tex., for interim 
trail use. B&M asserts that the .08 mile B&M Bridge Line is unsuitable 
for both public use and interim trail use. B&M states that the B&M 
Bridge will remain under ownership of B&M, and the B&M Bridge may play 
some future role in the movement of motor vehicle traffic across the 
border between Mexico and the United States. These requests will be 
addressed in the final decision.
    Petitioners state that the Line does not contain 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 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 April 9, 2013.
    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 $1,600 
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 January 29, 2013. Each trail 
use request must be accompanied by a $250 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(27).

[[Page 1936]]

    All filings in response to this notice must refer to Docket Nos. AB 
33 (Sub-No. 306X) and AB 1091X, and must be sent to: (1) Surface 
Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and 
(2) Mack H. Shumate, Jr., 101 North Wacker Drive, 1920, 
Chicago, IL 60606. Replies to the joint petition are due on or before 
January 29, 2013.
    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 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.
    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 comment 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 will generally bewithin 
30 days of its service.
    This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the 
human environment or the conservation of energy resources.

    Decided: January 3, 2013.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Derrick A. Gardner,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2013-00243 Filed 1-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P