[Federal Register: March 16, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 51)]
[Notices]
[Page 12392-12393]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16mr04-129]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-347 (Sub-No. 3X)]
Florida West Coast Railroad Company, Inc.--Abandonment and
Discontinuance of Service Exemption--in Alachua and Gilchrist Counties,
FL
On February 25, 2004, Florida West Coast Railroad Company, Inc.
(FWCR), 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 and discontinue service over an approximately 13-mile line of
railroad extending from milepost 734.0, in Trenton, to milepost 721.0,
in Newberry, in Alachua and Gilchrist Counties, FL. The line traverses
United States Postal Service ZIP Codes 32669 and 32693, and includes no
stations.
The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any
documentation in FWCR's possession will be made available promptly to
those requesting it.
The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the
conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line R. Co.--Abandonment--Goshen,
360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).
By issuing this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be
issued by June 14, 2004.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ FWCR initially proposed a consummation date of April 15,
2004. FWCR's representative has subsequently acknowledged that, if
its petition is granted, consummation cannot occur before the Board
has authorized the proposed abandonment and discontinuance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 $1,100
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 April 5, 2004. Each
[[Page 12393]]
trail use request must be accompanied by a $150 filing fee. See 49 CFR
1002.2(f)(27).
All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No.
AB-347 (Sub-No. 3X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation
Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) David H.
Anderson, Law Office of David H. Anderson, 288 Littleton Road, Suite
21, Westford, MA 01886. Replies to the FWCR petition are due on or
before April 5, 2004.
Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment and
discontinuance 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 after 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: March 11, 2004.
By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-5889 Filed 3-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P