[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10203-10204]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03494]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. FD 36379]


Louisiana & Delta Railroad, Inc.--Lease Amendment and Operation 
Exemption--Union Pacific Railroad Company

    Louisiana & Delta Railroad, Inc. (LDRR), a Class III railroad, has 
filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10902 to amend, 
supersede, and replace the leases entered into between LDRR and Union 
Pacific Railroad Company (UP) on January 17, 1992, and subsequently 
amended. Specifically, LDRR states that it wishes to consolidate two 
existing lease agreements, the Lockport Branch Line Lease and the 
Breaux Bridge Lines Lease, into a single agreement with UP (the 
Consolidated Lease). The Consolidated Lease covers (1) milepost 0.35 at 
or near BR Jct, to the end of track at milepost 7.78 being the west 
line of Berard Street at or near Breaux Bridge (Breaux Bridge Branch); 
(2) the switch on the Breaux Bridge line near milepost 7.678 to a point 
on the St. Martinsville Branch near milepost 19.381 to the end of track 
at milepost 19.680 (St. Martinsville Branch); (3) milepost 0.50 at or 
near Alex. Jct, to the end of track at milepost 1.00, also including 
the Extension Track from milepost 144.90 to milepost 145.30 (Alexandria 
Branch); and (4) milepost 0.1 at Raceland Junction, La., to milepost 
1.7 (collectively, the Line).\1\ LDRR further states that segments (1), 
(2), and (3) of the Line are near Lafayette, La., and segment (4) is 
near Lockport, La. The total mileage covered by the Consolidated Lease 
is approximately 10.43 miles.
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    \1\ LDRR initially submitted the verified notice on January 16, 
2020. On February 5, 2020, LDRR filed a supplement to clarify the 
location of the Line and provide more detailed maps. In light of 
that supplement, February 5, 2020, is deemed the filing date of the 
verified notice.

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[[Page 10204]]

    LDRR has certified that the transaction does not involve any 
provision or agreement that would limit future interchange with a 
third-party connecting carrier. LDRR states that its projected annual 
revenues as a result of this transaction will not result in LDRR's 
becoming a Class II or Class I rail carrier. Additionally, LDRR 
certifies that its total revenues exceed $5 million. Pursuant to 49 CFR 
1150.42(e), if a carrier's projected annual revenues will exceed $5 
million, it must, at least 60 days before the exemption becomes 
effective, post a notice of its intent to undertake the proposed 
transaction at the workplace of the employees on the affected lines, 
serve a copy of the notice on the national offices of the labor unions 
with employees on the affected lines, and certify to the Board that it 
has done so. However, LDRR's verified notice includes a request for 
waiver of the 60-day advance labor notice requirements. LDRR's waiver 
request will be addressed in a separate decision.
    The verified notice states that LDRR and UP entered into the 
Consolidated Lease agreement on January 1, 2020. LDRR states that it 
expects to consummate the transaction on the effective date of this 
exemption. The Board will establish the effective date in its separate 
decision on the waiver request.
    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 February 28, 
2020.
    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36379, 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 LDRR's representative, Eric M. 
Hocky, Clark Hill, PLC, Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market St., Suite 
2620, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
    According to LDRR, 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: February 18, 2020.
    By the Board, Scott M. Zimmerman, Acting Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Tammy Lowery,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2020-03494 Filed 2-20-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4915-01-P