[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 140 (Thursday, July 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47487-47488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17368]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. AB 1011 (Sub-No. 3X)]


Northern Lines Railway Company, LLC--Discontinuance of Service 
Exemption--in Stearns and Benton Counties, Minn.

    On July 1, 2016, Northern Lines Railway, LLC (NLR) 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 discontinue 
rail service over approximately three miles of rail line (the Subject 
Segments) in East St. Cloud, Stearns and Benton Counties, Minn.
    NLR is not the owner of the Subject Segments. The Subject Segments 
are owned by BNSF Railway Company (BNSF).\1\ The Subject Segments 
connect to BNSF main lines between milepost 73 and milepost 75 and 
include: (a) All tracks accessed by Main 1 from Tracks 9967 and 9966; 
(b) Track 0132 along with Track 0146 and Track 0146's connecting 
industries within the wye complex at main line milepost 74; and (c) 
Track 0162, also known as Transfer 2.
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    \1\ NLR was granted authority to lease and operate the Subject 
Segments in Northern Lines Ry., LLC--Lease and Operation Exemption--
Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Ry., FD 34627 (STB served Jan. 6, 
2005) (as modified by the decision in the same docket served June 3, 
2005).
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    NLR states that BNSF has advised NLR that some of the Subject 
Segments, based on information on BNSF's possession, do contain 
federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in NLR's possession 
will be made available promptly to those requesting it.
    The interest of railroad employees will be granted 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 October 19, 2016.
    Because this is a discontinuance proceeding and not an abandonment 
proceeding, trail use/rail banking and public use conditions are not 
appropriate. Because there will be environmental review during 
abandonment, this discontinuance does not require an environmental 
review.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) 
to subsidize continued rail service will be due no later than October 
31, 2016, or

[[Page 47488]]

10 days after service of a decision granting the petition for 
exemption, whichever occurs sooner. Each offer must be accompanied by a 
$1,600 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to Docket No. AB 
1011 (Sub-No. 3X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Rose-
Michele Nardi, Transport Counsel, PC, 1701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Suite 
300, Washington, DC 20006. Replies to this petition are due on or 
before August 10, 2016.
    Persons seeking further information concerning discontinuance 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Assistance, 
Governmental Affairs, and Compliance at (202) 245-0238 or refer to the 
full abandonment and 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.]
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at 
WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.

    Decided: July 18, 2016.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.

Brendetta S. Jones,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2016-17368 Filed 7-20-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4915-01-P