[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 11637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04835]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. AB 1182X]


Brandon Railroad, L.L.C.--Abandonment Exemption--in Douglas 
County, NE

    On February 16, 2016, Brandon Railroad, L.L.C. (BRR), 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 17.3 miles of rail lines (the Lines) located in 
Douglas County, Neb. The Lines traverse United States Postal Service 
Zip Code 68107.
    According to BRR, there is currently one company, United States 
Cold Storage, Inc. (Cold Storage), that could potentially use common 
carrier rail service. In August 2015, BRR entered into a long-term 
Confidential Private Transportation Services Agreement with Cold 
Storage in the event Cold Storage decides to once again utilize rail 
service. Additionally, GBW Railcar Services, LLC (GBW), utilizes the 
Lines to provide private carriage for the rail cars moving to and from 
its repair facilities on the Lines. Once the proposed abandonment is 
authorized by the Board and consummated, the Lines will continue to be 
used by GBW to provide private carriage and by BRR to provide contract 
(not common carrier) service for Cold Storage.
    BRR states that the Lines do not contain federally granted rights-
of-way. Any documentation in BRR'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 June 3, 2016.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) 
will be due no later than June 13, 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.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All interested persons should be aware that, following abandonment, 
the Lines 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 
interim trail use/rail banking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no 
later March 24, 2016. Each interim trail use request must be 
accompanied by a $300 filing fee.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ See Regulations Governing Fees for Servs. Performed in 
Connection with Licensing & Related Servs.--2015 Update, EP 542 
(Sub-No. 23), slip op. at 17, item 27(i) (STB served July 15, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All filings in response to this notice must refer to Docket No. AB 
1182X and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 395 E 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Karl Morell, Karl Morell 
& Associates, 655 Fifteenth Street NW., Suite 225, Washington, DC 
20005. Replies to the petition are due on or before March 24, 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 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 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 typically will be within 
30 days of its service.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at 
WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.

    Decided: March 1, 2016.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Brendetta S. Jones,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2016-04835 Filed 3-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4915-01-P