[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 217 (Friday, November 8, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67216-67217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26840]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 290 (Sub-No. 346X)]


Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Lake 
County, Ind.

    On October 22, 2013, Norfolk Southern Railroad Company (NSR) 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 approximately 2.95 miles of railroad between 
milepost MQ 280.15 (near the intersection of Lincoln Highway and 
Junction Avenue in the City of Schererville, Ind.) and milepost MQ 
283.10 (near the line's crossing of E 53rd Avenue/Main Street, which is 
proximate to the border of the Town of Munster and the City of 
Schererville), in Lake County, Ind. (the Line). The Line traverses 
United States Postal Service

[[Page 67217]]

Zip Codes 46321 and 46375, and includes the station of Schererville.\1\
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    \1\ Petitioner states that the station of Schererville will not 
be closed due to other NSR lines that will remain in place that also 
serve this station.
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    NSR states that, based on the information in its possession, the 
Line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in NSR's possession will be made available 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 7, 2014.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) 
will be due no later than February 14, 2014, or 10 days after service 
of a decision granting the petition for exemption, whichever occurs 
sooner. 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 the 
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 29, 
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 
290 (Sub-No. 346X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Robert A. 
Wimbish, Baker & Miller PLLC, 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Suite 300, 
Washington, DC 20037. Replies to the petition are due on or before 
November 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 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 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 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: November 4, 2013.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2013-26840 Filed 11-7-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P