[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 2 (Friday, January 3, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-31465]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 303 (Sub-No. 43X)]


Wisconsin Central Ltd.--Abandonment Exemption--in Barron County, 
WI

    On December 16, 2013, Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL) \1\ 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 0.80-mile line of railroad between mileposts 55.2 
and 56.0 in Rice Lake, Barron County, Wis. (the Line).\2\ The Line 
traverses United States Postal Service Zip Code 54868.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ WCL is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Canadian 
National Railway Company.
    \2\ WCL states that the Line is a stub-ended line that begins at 
a connection with its mainline at milepost 55.2 and ends at milepost 
56.0. The track north of milepost 56.0 was approved for abandonment 
in Wisconsin Central Ltd.--Abandonment Exemption--in Douglas, 
Washburn, & Barron Counties, Wis., AB 303 (Sub-No. 12X) (ICC served 
Apr. 20, 1993). According to WCL, the abandoned line in that 
proceeding is now a trail, except for a small portion immediately 
north of milepost 56.0, on which abandonment was consummated, but 
the track remains in place to allow for headroom for switching 
purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    WCL states that, based on information in its possession, the Line 
does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in 
WCL'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 April 4, 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 January 23, 2014. 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 
303 (Sub-No. 43X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Audrey L. 
Brodrick, Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 North Wacker Drive, Suite 920, 
Chicago, IL 60606. Replies to the petition are due on or before January 
23, 2014.
    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 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: December 30, 2013.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Derrick A. Gardner,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2013-31465 Filed 1-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P