[Federal Register: February 1, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 20)]
[Notices]
[Page 5268]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01fe05-134]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-792X]
Railroad Switching Service of Missouri, Inc.--Abandonment
Exemption--in St. Louis County, MO
On January 12, 2005, Railroad Switching Service of Missouri, Inc.
(RSSM), a Class III rail carrier, filed with the Surface Transportation
Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the
provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon its entire line of railroad
extending from a point of connection with Norfolk Southern Railway
Company (NS) at or near Broad Street (milepost 0) to terminus at the
publishing facility of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (milepost 1.89), a
distance of 1.89 miles, in St. Louis, St. Louis County, MO. The line
traverses United States Postal Service Zip Code 63101 and includes the
station of St. Louis.
The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any
documentation in RSSM's possession will be made available promptly to
those requesting it.
In this proceeding, RSSM is proposing to abandon a line that
constitutes its entire rail system. When issuing abandonment authority
for a railroad line that constitutes the carrier's entire system, the
Board does not impose labor protection, except in specifically
enumerated circumstances. See Northampton and Bath R. Co.--Abandonment,
354 I.C.C. 784, 785-86 (1978) (Northampton). Therefore, if the Board
grants the petition for exemption, in the absence of a showing that one
or more of the exceptions articulated in Northampton are present, no
labor protective conditions will be imposed.
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 May 2, 2005.
Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2)
will be due no later than 10 days after service of a decision granting
the petition for exemption. Each OFA must be accompanied by a $1,200
filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
All interested persons should be aware that, following abandonment
of rail service and salvage of the line, 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 trail use/rail banking under
49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than February 22, 2005. Each trail
use request must be accompanied by a $200 filing fee. See 49 CFR
1002.2(f)(27).
All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No.
AB-792X and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Thomas F. McFarland,
Thomas F. McFarland, P.C., 208 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1890,
Chicago, IL 60604-1112.
Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Services at (202)
565-1592 or refer to the full abandonment or discontinuance regulations
at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning environmental issues may be
directed to the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) at
(202) 565-1539. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available
through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-
8339.] An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact
statement (EIS), if necessary) prepared by SEA will be served upon all
parties of record and upon any agencies or other persons who commented
during its preparation. Other interested persons may contact SEA to
obtain a copy of the EA (or EIS). EAs in these 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 will
generally be within 30 days of its service.
Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at
``http://www.stb.dot.gov.''
Decided: January 26, 2005.
By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-1817 Filed 1-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P