[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 118 (Monday, June 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35946-35947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15187]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[Docket No. AB 6; Sub-No. 477X]
BNSF Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Los Angeles
County, CA.
On May 31, 2011, BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) filed with the Surface
Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for
exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon its rail
freight service easement over 4.85 miles of rail line owned by Los
Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) extending
between milepost 119.35, just east of the San Gabriel River, in
Irwindale, and milepost 124.20, just east of the Santa Anita Blvd.
grade crossing, in Arcadia, in Los Angeles County, CA (the Line). The
Line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 91006, 91007,
91010, 91016, 91702, and 91706. There are no rail stations on the Line.
In addition to an exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903,
NSR seeks exemption from 49 U.S.C. 10904 (offer of financial assistance
(OFA) procedures) and 49 U.S.C. 10905 (public use conditions). In
support, BNSF contends that an exemption from these provisions is
necessary to permit LACMTA to extend light rail passenger service over
the Line. These requests will be addressed in the final decision.
BNSF states that, based on information in its possession, the Line
does contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in
BNSF'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 Railroad--Abandonment Portion
Goshen Branch Between Firth & Ammon, in Bingham & Bonneville Counties,
Idaho, 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 September 16, 2011.
Any 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 $1,500 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 July 11, 2011. Each trail use
request must be accompanied by a $250 filing fee. See 49 CFR
1002.2(f)(27).
All filings in response to this notice must refer to Docket No. AB
6 (Sub-No. 477X), and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation
Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Karl
Morell, Of Counsel, Ball Janik LLP, 655 Fifteenth Street, NW., Suite
225, Washington, DC 20005. Replies to the BNSF petition are due on or
before July 11, 2011.
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 or discontinuance regulations at 49 CFR pt. 1152.
Questions concerning environmental issues may be directed to the
Board's Office of Environmental
[[Page 35947]]
Analysis (OEA) at (202) 245-0305. 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 OEA 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 OEA 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 generally will be within
30 days of its service.
Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at
``http://www.stb.dot.gov.''
Decided: June 14, 2011.
By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2011-15187 Filed 6-17-11; 8:45 am]
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