[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 71 (Thursday, April 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 22513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07832]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. AB 1329X]


Elkhart & Western Railroad Co. LLC--Discontinuance of Trackage 
Rights Exemption--in Marshall and Fulton Counties, Ind.

    On March 24, 2023, Elkhart & Western Railroad Co. LLC (E&W), a 
Class III rail carrier, filed a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for 
exemption from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to 
discontinue trackage rights over approximately 11.7 miles of rail line 
owned by Fulton County, L.L.C. (FC), extending from milepost I-108.6 
near Argos, Ind., to milepost I-96.9 at Rochester, Ind., in Marshall 
and Fulton Counties, Ind. (the Line). The Line traverses United States 
Postal Services Zip Codes 46501 and 46975.
    According to E&W, until recently, it was the exclusive service 
provider on the Line, pursuant to a trackage rights agreement 
(Agreement) with FC. E&W states that the Agreement expired on March 15, 
2023, and, on the same day, Patriot Rail Company, LLC, which indirectly 
controls E&W, embargoed the Line due to unsafe track conditions. E&W 
notes that FC has a common carrier obligation on the Line as well as a 
plan for a corporate affiliate, Rochester & Erie Railway, LLC (RERY), 
to operate the Line, see RERY, Notice of Exemption, Rochester & Erie 
Ry.--Operation Exemption--Fulton Cnty., LLC, FD 36671. Therefore, 
according to E&W, RERY will be affiliated with the Line as its 
operator, and shippers will have access to common carrier service, 
should FC and RERY determine that operations can be resumed safely.
    E&W states that it does not believe that the Lines contain 
federally granted rights-of-way. E&W also states that any documentation 
in its possession will be made available promptly to those requesting 
it.
    As a condition to this exemption, any employee adversely affected 
by the discontinuance of service shall be protected under Oregon Short 
Line Railroad--Abandonment Portion Goshen Branch Between Firth & Ammon, 
in Bingham & Bonneville Counties, Idaho, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).
    By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by July 12, 2023.
    Because this is a discontinuance proceeding and not an abandonment, 
interim trail use/rail banking and public use conditions are not 
appropriate. Because there will be environmental review during any 
subsequent abandonment, this discontinuance does not require an 
environmental review. See 49 CFR 1105.6(c)(5), 1105.8(b).
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) for subsidy 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.\1\ 
Persons interested in submitting an OFA must first file a formal 
expression of intent to file an offer by April 24, 2023, indicating the 
intent to file an OFA for subsidy and demonstrating that they are 
preliminarily financially responsible. See 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(1)(i).
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    \1\ The filing fee for OFAs can be found at 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(25).
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    All filings in response to this notice must refer to Docket No. AB 
1329X and 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 E&W's representative, Robert A. Wimbish, 
Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 North Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 
60606-3208. Replies to the petition are due on or before May 3, 2023.
    Persons seeking further information concerning discontinuance 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Assistance, 
Governmental Affairs, and Compliance at (202) 245-0238 or refer to the 
full abandonment and discontinuance regulations at 49 CFR part 1152. 
Questions concerning environmental issues may be directed to the 
Board's Office of Environmental Analysis at (202) 245-0294. If you 
require accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please 
call (202) 245-0245.
    Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov.

    Decided: April 7, 2023.

    By the Board, Mai T. Dinh, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Raina White,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2023-07832 Filed 4-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P