[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 165 (Friday, August 26, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 52608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18402]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. AB 312 (Sub-No. 5X)]


South Carolina Central Railroad Company, LLC--Abandonment 
Exemption--in Darlington County, S.C.

    South Carolina Central Railroad Company, LLC (SCRF), has filed with 
the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 CFR 10502 
for exemption from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10903 
to abandon approximately two miles of rail line over six railroad 
tracks that most recently served the Sonoco Products Company (Sonoco) 
in Hartsville, Darlington County, S.C. The rail line consists of the 
following: (1) Track 1 between Sonoco Lead mileposts 312.7 and 313.24, 
and its associated leads, Tracks 1a and 1b; (2) Tracks 2 and 2a, which 
do not have mileposts; and (3) Track 3 between Hartsville mileposts 
312.85 and 313.56 (the Line). The Line traverses U.S. Postal Service 
Zip Code 29550 and has no rail stations.
    According to SCRF, the Line is the stub end of a rail line over 
which SCRF provided rail service to Sonoco. SCRF states, however, that 
Sonoco is re-tooling its facility for a different commodity and will no 
longer require rail service, and that, following the abandonment, SCRF 
plans to transfer its interest in the Line to Sonoco to facilitate 
Sonoco's development of its property. Attached as an exhibit to the 
petition is a letter from Sonoco supporting the proposed abandonment.
    SCRF states that, based on information in its possession, the Line 
does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in 
SCRF's possession will be made available promptly to those requesting 
it.
    The interest of railroad employees will be protected 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 issuing this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by November 25, 2022.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) 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. Persons interested in 
submitting an OFA must first file a formal expression of intent to file 
an offer by September 6, 2022, indicating the type of financial 
assistance they wish to provide (i.e., subsidy or purchase) and 
demonstrating that they are preliminarily financially responsible. See 
49 CFR 1152.27(c)(1)(i).
    Following abandonment, the Line may be suitable for other public 
use, including interim trail use. Any request for a public use 
condition under 49 CFR 1152.28 or for interim trail use/rail banking 
under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than September 15, 2022.\1\
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    \1\ Filing fees for OFAs and trail use requests can be found at 
49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25) and (27), respectively.
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    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. AB 312 (Sub-No. 5X), must be 
filed with the Surface Transportation Board either via e-filing on the 
Board's website or in writing addressed to 395 E Street SW, Washington, 
DC 20423-0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on 
SCRF's representative, Eric M. Hocky, Clark Hill PLC, Two Commerce 
Square, 2001 Market Street, Suite 2620, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Replies 
to the petition are due on or before September 15, 2022.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Assistance, 
Governmental Affairs, and Compliance at (202) 245-0238 or refer to the 
full abandonment regulations at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning 
environmental issues may be directed to the Board's Office of 
Environmental Analysis (OEA) at (202) 245-0294. Assistance for the 
hearing impaired is available through the Federal Relay Service at 
(800) 877-8339.
    An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement 
(EIS), if necessary) prepared by OEA will be served upon all parties of 
record and upon any other agencies or persons who comment during its 
preparation. Other interested persons may contact OEA to obtain a copy 
of the EA (or EIS). EAs in abandonment proceedings normally will be 
made available within 60 days of the filing of the petition. The 
deadline for submission of comments on the EA generally will be within 
30 days of its service.
    Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov.

    Decided: August 17, 2022.

    By the Board, Scott M. Zimmerman, Acting Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Stefan Rice,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2022-18402 Filed 8-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P