[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 7500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02336]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. FD 36661]


Willamette Valley Railway Company--Lease and Operation 
Exemption--Line of Union Pacific Railroad Company

    Willamette Valley Railway Company (WVR), a Class III carrier, has 
filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41 to lease from 
Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) and to operate the following lines 
of railroad extending approximately 32 miles: the West Stayton Branch 
between milepost 708.11 at Stayton, Or., and milepost 737.76 at 
Woodburn, Or., and the Geer Branch between milepost 719.16 at Geer, 
Or., and milepost 721.10 at or near the Geer Station, Or. 
(collectively, the Lines).
    According to WVR, it has operated the Lines pursuant to a 
longstanding lease agreement with UP and its predecessor, dated 
February 16, 1993, and it has recently entered into a replacement lease 
agreement with UP, governing the continued use, management, and 
operation of the Lines.\1\ WVR states that it will continue to operate 
and provide all rail common carrier service to shippers on the Lines.
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    \1\ Notice of the 1993 lease was given in Willamette Valley 
Railway--Acquisition, Lease & Operation Exemption--Southern Pacific 
Transportation Co., FD 32249 (ICC served Mar. 5, 1993). 
Subsequently, WVR obtained authority to acquire the Line. Willamette 
Valley Ry.--Acquis. Exemption--Certain Lines of S. Pac. Transp. Co., 
FD 32684 (STB served Aug. 22, 1996). WVR states that it never 
consummated its authority to acquire the Lines and the 1993 lease 
agreement remained in effect.
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    WVR certifies that its projected annual freight revenues will not 
exceed those that would qualify it as a Class I or Class II rail 
carrier and will not exceed $5 million. WVR also certifies that the 
proposed transaction does not include an interchange commitment.
    The transaction may be consummated on or after February 17, 2023, 
the effective date of the exemption (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 February 10, 
2023 (at least seven days before the exemption becomes effective).
    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36661, 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 
WVR's representative, Peter A. Pfohl, Slover & Loftus LLP, 1224 
Seventeenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036.
    According to WVR, 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: January 31, 2023.

    By the Board, Mai T. Dinh, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Kenyatta Clay,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2023-02336 Filed 2-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P