[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 129 (Friday, July 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 43410]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14337]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. FD 36706]


BLPI RR L.L.C.--Acquisition and Operation Exemption--Palouse 
River & Coulee City Railroad L.L.C.

    BLPI L.L.C. (BLPI), a noncarrier, has filed a verified notice of 
exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 to acquire and operate approximately 
43.74 miles of rail line owned by Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad 
L.L.C. (PCC), extending from milepost 3.32 (Washington-Idaho state 
line) to milepost 47.06 at Bovill, Idaho, in Latah County, Idaho (the 
Line).
    According to the verified notice, BLPI and PCC entered into a 
Purchase and Sale Agreement on April 24, 2023, under which BLPI would 
acquire the Line.\1\ The verified notice indicates that BLPI intends to 
lease the Line to a third-party operator for the purposes of rail 
service, but BLPI will function as the operator of the Line if it were 
to so choose.
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    \1\ The eastern portion of the Line, between milepost 21.0 and 
milepost 47.0, was authorized for abandonment in Palouse River & 
Coulee City Railroad--Abandonment Exemption--in Latah County, Idaho, 
AB 570 (Sub-No. 1X) (STB served Oct. 6, 2000). BLPI's verified 
notice here states that, based on the Board's records, an interim 
trail use negotiating period for that portion expired without 
agreement and PCC did not consummate abandonment; BLPI therefore 
asserts that the eastern portion of the Line remains subject to the 
Board's jurisdiction and available to be acquired.
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    BLPI certifies that the proposed transaction does not involve a 
provision or agreement that would limit future interchange with a 
third-party connecting carrier. BLPI also certifies that the projected 
annual revenues resulting from the transaction will not exceed $5 
million and will not result in the creation of a Class I or Class II 
carrier.
    The earliest this transaction may be consummated is July 22, 2023, 
the effective date of the exemption (30 days after the verified notice 
of exemption 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 July 14, 2023 
(at least seven days before the exemption becomes effective).
    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36706, 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 
BLPI's representative, John K. Fiorilla, Dyer & Peterson PC, 605 Main 
Street, Suite 104, Riverton, NJ 08077-1440.
    According to BLPI, this action is categorically excluded from 
environmental reporting requirements 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: June 30, 2023.

    By the Board, Mai T. Dinh, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Eden Besera,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2023-14337 Filed 7-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P