[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 138 (Thursday, July 18, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34472-34473]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-15288]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. AB 1277X]


Savage Davenport Railroad Company--Discontinuance of Service 
Exemption--in Scott County, Iowa

    On June 28, 2019, Savage Davenport Railroad Company (SDR) filed 
with the Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for an exemption from 
the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10903, to enable SDR to 
discontinue its operations over a rail line (the Line) owned by the 
City of Davenport, Iowa (the City), in Scott County, Iowa. The Line is 
approximately 2.8 miles long, extending from a switch near milepost 
191.2 on the main line of a Canadian Pacific Railway subsidiary, west 
and south to the Davenport Transload Facility owned by the City. The 
Line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Code 52748.
    According to SDR, the Line was constructed, and is owned, by the 
City \1\ and is subject to a lease between the City and SDR, requiring 
SDR to provide common carrier rail service over the Line, serving 
industrial shippers.\2\ SDR explains that it began operations on the 
Line in March of 2018, serving one rail customer and the Transload 
Facility. SDR states that the Transload Facility currently has zero 
activity. (Pet. 3 n.3.) SDR states that it has advised the City of its 
desire to discontinue service, and the City has raised no objection 
provided a suitable replacement is identified. (Id. at 3.) SDR states 
that, based on the information in SDR's possession, the Line does not 
contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in SDR's 
possession will be made available promptly to those requesting it.
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    \1\ See City of Davenport--Construction & Operation Exemption--
in Scott Cty., Iowa, FD 35237 (STB served Apr. 6, 2011).
    \2\ See Savage Davenport R.R.--Lease & Operation Exemption--City 
of Davenport, FD 36142 (STB served Sept. 1, 2017).
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    As a condition to this exemption, any employee adversely affected 
by the discontinuance of service shall be protected under Oregon Short 
Line Railroad--Abandonment Portion Goshen Branch Between Firth & Ammon, 
in Bingham & Bonneville Counties, Idaho, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).
    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 an environmental review during any 
subsequent abandonment proceeding, this discontinuance does not require 
an

[[Page 34473]]

environmental review. See 49 CFR 1105.8(b).
    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 16, 2019.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) for subsidy under 49 CFR 
1152.27(b)(2) will be due no later than 120 days after the filing of 
the petition for exemption, or 10 days after service of a decision 
granting the petition for exemption, whichever occurs sooner.\3\ 
Persons interested in submitting an OFA must first file a formal 
expression of intent to file an offer by July 29, 2019, indicating the 
intent to file an OFA for subsidy and demonstrating that they are 
preliminarily financially responsible. See 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(1)(i).
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    \3\ The filing fee for OFAs can be found at 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(25).
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB 1277X and must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board either 
via e-filing or in writing addressed to 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 
20423-0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on 
SDR's representative, Richard F. Riley, Jr., Foley & Lardner LLP, 3000 
K Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20007-5109. Replies to the 
petition are due on or before August 7, 2019.
    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. part 1152. 
Questions concerning environmental issues may be directed to the 
Board's Office of Environmental Analysis at (202) 245-0305. Assistance 
for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Relay Service 
at 1-800-877-8339.
    Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov.

    Decided: July 15, 2019.

    By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2019-15288 Filed 7-17-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P