[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 216 (Thursday, November 7, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66988-66989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26706]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 497 (Sub-No. 6X]


Minnesota Northern Railroad, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in Polk 
County, Minn.

    On October 18, 2013, Minnesota Northern Railroad, Inc. (MNN) filed 
with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 
U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the prior approval requirements of 49 
U.S.C. 10903 to abandon a 2.8-mile portion of its Ada Subdivision 
between milepost 66.8 north of Beltrami and milepost 64.0 at the end of 
the track at or near Beltrami, in Polk County, Minn. (the Line).\1\ The 
Line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Code 56517.
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    \1\ Upon abandonment, MNN intends to sell this portion of the 
Line at and near Beltrami to West Central Ag Services, the sole 
shipper on the Line, for use as private industry track.
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    MNN states that it appears that the Line contains federally granted 
right-of-way. Any documentation in MNN'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 5, 2014.
    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 November 27, 2013. 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 
497 (Sub-No. 6X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 
395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Thomas F. 
McFarland, Thomas F. McFarland, P.C., 208 South LaSalle Street, Suite 
1890, Chicago, IL 60604 Replies to the petition are due on or before 
November 27, 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 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

[[Page 66989]]

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: October 31, 2013.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2013-26706 Filed 11-6-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P