[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 202 (Friday, October 18, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55994-55995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22881]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. FD 36352]


Rio Grande Pacific Corporation--Control Exemption--Big Spring 
Rail System, Inc.

    Rio Grande Pacific Corporation (RGPC), a noncarrier, has filed a 
verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(2) to acquire 
control of Big Spring Rail System, Inc. (BSRS), a Class III rail 
carrier that operates over rail line between milepost 0.0 and milepost 
3.3 in Howard County, Tex.\1\ In its verified notice, RGPC states that 
the agreement to effectuate its control of BSRS will be prepared prior 
to the effective date of the exemption.\2\
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    \1\ RGPC states that the line over which BSRS operates is owned 
by the City of Big Springs, Tex.
    \2\ Pursuant to 49 CFR 1180.6(a)(7)(ii), applicants are required 
to submit ``a copy of any contract or other written instrument 
entered into, or proposed to be entered into, pertaining to the 
proposed transaction.'' According to RGPC, an agreement has not yet 
been prepared. RGPC is directed to file a copy of the agreement as 
soon as it is available.
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    The earliest this transaction may be consummated is October 31, 
2019, the effective date of the exemption (30 days after the verified 
notice was filed).
    According to the verified notice, RGPC currently controls the 
following Class III rail carriers: Nebraska Central Railroad Company; 
New Orleans & Gulf Coast Railway Company; Wichita, Tillman and Jackson 
Railway Company; and Idaho Northern and Pacific Railroad Company 
(collectively, the RGPC carriers).\3\ The verified notice states that: 
(1) The rail lines operated by the RGPC carriers do not connect with 
the rail line operated by BSRS; (2) the transaction is not part of a 
series of anticipated transactions that would connect the rail line 
operated by BSRS with any railroad in the RGPC corporate family; and 
(3) the proposed transaction does not involve a Class I rail carrier. 
The proposed transaction is therefore exempt from the prior approval 
requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11323. See 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(2).
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    \3\ RGPC states that the properties of the RGPC carriers are 
located in Idaho, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas.
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    Under 49 U.S.C. 10502(g), the Board may not use its exemption 
authority to relieve a rail carrier of its statutory obligation to 
protect the interests of its employees. However, 49 U.S.C. 11326(c) 
does not provide for labor protection for transactions under 49 U.S.C. 
11324 and 11325 that involve only Class III rail carriers. Because this 
transaction involves Class III rail carriers only, the Board, under the 
statute, may not impose labor protective conditions for this 
transaction.

[[Page 55995]]

    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 to stay must be filed no later than October 24, 
2019 (at least seven days before the exemption becomes effective).
    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36352, 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 RGPC's representative: Karl 
Morell, Karl Morell & Associates, 440 1st Street NW, Suite 440, 
Washington, DC 20001.
    According to RGPC, this action is categorically excluded from 
environmental review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from historic 
preservation reporting requirements under 49 CFR 1105.8(b).
    Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov.

    Decided: October 10, 2019.

    By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2019-22881 Filed 10-17-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4915-01-P