[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 158 (Thursday, August 15, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41803-41804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-17550]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. FD 36336]


Savannah & Old Fort Railroad, L.L.C.--Change in Operator 
Exemption--Golden Isles Terminal Railroad, Inc.

    Savannah & Old Fort Railroad, L.L.C. (SOFR), a noncarrier, has 
filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 to permit 
SOFR to acquire from CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), by assignment of 
lease, and to operate, approximately 6.45 miles of rail line between 
milepost ASO 493.3 at or near Staley Avenue and milepost ASO 499.75 at 
the end of the line, in Savannah, Ga. (the Line). SOFR states that the 
Line is currently being operated by Golden Isles Terminal Railroad, 
Inc. (GITM), a subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming, Inc.
    According to SOFR, GITM acquired the track, rails, ties, ballast, 
culverts, and all other non-real property assets and leased the real 
property from CSXT under an agreement scheduled to terminate on August 
29, 2019. See Golden Isles Terminal RR.--Acquis. & Operation 
Exemption--CSX Transp., Inc., FD 34539 (STB served Sept. 15, 2004).
    The verified notice indicates that CSXT and GITM have agreed to 
enter an

[[Page 41804]]

agreement for GITM to resell the track, rails, ties, ballast, culverts, 
and all other non-real property assets and an agreement to assign the 
lease to CSXT. Additionally, SOFR is entering into an agreement with 
CSXT whereby SOFR will be assigned the ownership of the track, rails, 
ties, ballast, culverts, and all other non-real property assets that 
comprise the Line and the lease of the real property from CSXT, thus 
succeeding SOFR as the lessee and operator of the Line. As a result, 
SOFR represents that CSXT will not acquire track, rails, ties, ballast, 
culverts, and all other non-real property assets, but will assign its 
rights under the agreements to SOFR prior to the termination of GITM's 
lease.
    This transaction is related to a concurrently filed verified notice 
of exemption in Watco Holdings, Inc.--Continuance in Control 
Exemption--Savannah & Old Fort Railroad, L.L.C., Docket No. FD 36337, 
in which Watco Holdings, Inc., seeks Board approval to continue in 
control of SOFR upon SOFR's becoming a Class III carrier.
    SOFR states that the proposed transaction does not involve any 
provision or agreement that would limit future interchange with a 
third-party connecting carrier. SOFR certifies that its projected 
annual revenues as a result of the transaction will not result in the 
creation of a Class II or Class I rail carrier and will not exceed $5 
million.
    Under 49 CFR 1150.32(b), a change in operators requires that notice 
be given to shippers. SOFR certifies that it has provided notice of the 
proposed change in operator to all shippers located on the Line.
    The earliest this transaction may be consummated is August 29, 2019 
(30 days after the verified notice was filed).
    If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, 
the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption 
under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a 
petition to revoke will not automatically stay the effectiveness of the 
exemption. Petitions for stay must be filed no later than August 22, 
2019 (at least seven days before the exemption becomes effective).
    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36336, 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 SOFR's representative, Karl 
Morell, Karl Morell and Associates, 440 1st Street NW, Suite 440, 
Washington, DC 20001.
    According to SOFR, this action is excluded from environmental 
review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from historic preservation reporting 
requirements under 49 CFR 1105.8(b)(1).
    Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov.

    Decided: August 12, 2019.

    By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2019-17550 Filed 8-14-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4915-01-P