[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 9, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1935-1936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00243]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[Docket No. AB 33 (Sub-No. 306X); Docket No. AB 1091X]
Union Pacific Railroad Company--Abandonment and Discontinuance
Exemption--in Cameron County, TX; Brownsville and Matamoras Bridge
Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Cameron County, TX
On December 20, 2012, Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) and
Brownsville and Matamoras Bridge Company (B&M) (collectively,
Petitioners) jointly 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 permit: (1) UP to abandon and discontinue the portion
of UP's Brownsville Subdivision from milepost 7.4 at Olmito Junction to
milepost 0.22 at Brownsville, Tex. (UP's Brownsville Subdivision); and
(2) B&M to abandon its 0.8 mile line from its connection to UP's
Brownsville Subdivision near UP milepost 0.41 to the international
border with Mexico located near the center-point of B&M's bridge at
Brownsville (B&M Bridge Line), a total distance of 7.98 miles in
Cameron County, Tex. (collectively, the Line). The Line traverses
United States Postal Service Zip Code 78520 and includes no stations.
In addition to an exemption from the prior approval requirements of
49 U.S.C. 10903, Petitioners seek an exemption from 49 U.S.C. 10904
(offer of financial assistance procedures) and 10905 (public use
provisions). In support, Petitioners state that no shippers are served
by the Line and that there is an agreement in principle that, following
abandonment, UP's Brownsville Subdivision will be transferred to
Cameron County, Tex., and/or the City of Brownsville, Tex., for interim
trail use. B&M asserts that the .08 mile B&M Bridge Line is unsuitable
for both public use and interim trail use. B&M states that the B&M
Bridge will remain under ownership of B&M, and the B&M Bridge may play
some future role in the movement of motor vehicle traffic across the
border between Mexico and the United States. These requests will be
addressed in the final decision.
Petitioners state that the Line does not contain Federally granted
rights-of-way. Any documentation in Petitioners' 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 April 9, 2013.
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 $1,600
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 January 29, 2013. Each trail
use request must be accompanied by a $250 filing fee. See 49 CFR
1002.2(f)(27).
[[Page 1936]]
All filings in response to this notice must refer to Docket Nos. AB
33 (Sub-No. 306X) and AB 1091X, and must be sent to: (1) Surface
Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001; and
(2) Mack H. Shumate, Jr., 101 North Wacker Drive, 1920,
Chicago, IL 60606. Replies to the joint petition are due on or before
January 29, 2013.
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 part 1152.
Questions concerning environmental issues may be directed to the
Board's Office of Environmental 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 comment 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 will generally bewithin
30 days of its service.
This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the
human environment or the conservation of energy resources.
Decided: January 3, 2013.
By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of
Proceedings.
Derrick A. Gardner,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2013-00243 Filed 1-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P