[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 2 (Friday, January 3, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 423-424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-31466]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 290 (Sub-No. 351X)]


Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Botetourt County, VA

    On December 16, 2013, Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) filed 
with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 
U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to 
abandon approximately 0.71 miles of rail line, consisting of part of 
the Cloverdale Branch and extending from milepost C 8.19 to milepost C 
8.90 in Troutville, Botetourt County, Va. The line traverses United 
States Postal Service Zip Code 24175. There is one station on the line 
that will remain open to serve the remainder of the Cloverdale 
Branch.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ NSR states that there is one shipper on the line, Roanoke 
Cement Company LLC (Roanoke). According to NSR, Roanoke has 
requested abandonment to allow expansion of its facilities, and 
Roanoke will continue to be served by NSR post-abandonment. NSR 
seeks expedited consideration in this proceeding to allow Roanoke to 
move forward with its plans as soon as possible. This request will 
be addressed in the final decision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NSR states that, based on information in its possession, the line 
does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in 
NSR'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 issuing this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding

[[Page 424]]

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). However, NSR states that, because it seeks abandonment 
to allow expansion of Roanoke's facilities, NSR is unwilling to 
negotiate interim trail use.
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to Docket No. AB 
290 (Sub-No. 351X) 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 Avenue NW., Suite 300, 
Washington, DC 20037. 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 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 
presentation. 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 Gardner,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2013-31466 Filed 1-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P