[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 223 (Friday, November 21, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52786-52787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20547]
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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
[Docket No. AB 33 (Sub-No. 354X)]
Union Pacific Railroad Co.--Abandonment Exemption--in Jefferson
County, Wis.
On September 24, 2025, Union Pacific Railroad Co. (UP), a Class I
rail carrier, filed a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for an exemption
from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon an
approximately 0.88-mile rail line known as the Jefferson Junction Lead
between milepost 49.12 at the Clyman Subdivision and milepost 50, near
the city of Jefferson, all of which is located in Jefferson County,
Wis. (the Line). The Line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 53549
and 53038, and the verified notice identifies no stations on the Line.
UP states that it seeks to abandon the Line and sell the track to
Aztalan Bio, LLC (Aztalan), the only shipper on the Line, which will
remove and reconfigure the track adjacent to its facility. (Pet. 2.)
According to UP, the reconfigured track will connect to the Clyman
Subdivision, where UP will provide rail service to Aztalan, and use of
the Line will be limited to Aztalan's movement of railcars at its
facilities; storage, loading and unloading operations; and receipt and
delivery of rail cars to UP. (Id. at 3.) UP states that no other
industries are located on the Line and that no shippers have requested
to locate on the Line. Id.
According to UP, based on information in its possession, the Line
does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. (Id. at 3.) UP
further states that any documentation in UP's possession will be made
available promptly to those requesting it. (Id.)
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).
[[Page 52787]]
By issuing this notice,\1\ the Board is instituting an exemption
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be
issued by January 12, 2026.
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\1\ Due to the shutdown of the Federal government due to a lapse
in appropriations from October 1, 2025, through November 12, 2025,
the Board was not able to timely publish notice of the petition. See
49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2)(i).
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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 December 1, 2025, 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).
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/railbanking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due
no later than December 11, 2025.\2\
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\2\ 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 33 (Sub-No. 354X), 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 UP's representative, Christine Neuharth, Senior Counsel,
Union Pacific Railroad Company, 1400 Douglas St. MS #1580, Omaha, NE
68179. Replies to the petition are due on or before December 11, 2025.
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. If you require an
accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please call
(202) 245-0245.
OEA will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental
impact statement (EIS), if necessary), which 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: November 18, 2025.
By the Board, Anika S. Cooper, Chief Counsel, Office of Chief
Counsel.
Stefan Rice,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2025-20547 Filed 11-20-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P