[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 243 (Friday, December 18, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 79134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31863]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 55 (Sub-No. 747X)]


CSX Transportation, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in Ben Hill 
County, Ga.

    On November 30, 2015, CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) 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 
an approximately 0.23-mile rail line between milepost SLA 660.39 and 
the end of the line at milepost SLA 660.62, in Fitzgerald, Ben Hill 
County, Ga. (the Line). The Line traverses United States Postal Zip 
Code 31750 and includes no stations.
    According to CSXT, there is currently one customer, Modern 
Dispersion (Modern), located at the end of the Line. CSXT is seeking to 
abandon the Line and sell it to Modern so that Modern can expand its 
pellet shipping operations. Upon a grant of abandonment authority, the 
Line will be sold to Modern for its use in expanding its shipping 
facility. CSXT states that it plans to leave the tracks and materials 
in place and Modern plans to use the Line to load and unload rail cars 
on its own property through a private side track agreement. CSXT states 
that it will continue to meet Modern's common carrier requirements and 
projects an increase in volume based on Modern's plan to redevelop its 
current location.
    According to CSXT, the Line does not contain federally granted 
rights-of-way. Any documentation in CSXT'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 pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by March 18, 2016.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) 
will be due by March 28, 2016, or 10 days after service of a decision 
granting the petition for exemption, whichever occurs first. 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, 
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 7, 2016. Each trail request must be accompanied by a $300 
filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to Docket No. AB 
55 (Sub-No. 747X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Louis E. 
Gitomer, Law Offices of Louis E. Gitomer, LLC, 600 Baltimore Avenue, 
Suite 301, Towson, MD 21204. Replies to the petition are due on or 
before January 7, 2016.
    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 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 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 other agencies or persons who comment during its 
preparation. Other interested persons may contact OEA to obtain a copy 
of the EA (or EIS). EAs in 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 15, 2015.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Kenyatta Clay,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2015-31863 Filed 12-17-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4915-01-P