BNSF Railway Company-Abandonment Exemption-in Cook County, IL, 2316-2317 [2013-00324]

Agencies

• Surface Transportation Board
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 7 (Thursday, January 10, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2316-2317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00324]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. AB 6 (Sub-No. 482X)]


BNSF Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in Cook County, IL

    On December 21, 2012, BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) filed with the 
Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 
for exemption from the prior approval requirements of

[[Page 2317]]

49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon a 2.14-mile of rail line between Station 36 
+ 70, north of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal Bridge, and Station 
149 + 87, at the end of the track near Western Avenue, in Cook County, 
Ill. (the Line). The Line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 
60608, 60623, and 60632. There are no stations on the Line.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ According to BNSF, Pure Asphalt Company has been the only 
active shipper on the Line in the past five years.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    BNSF states that, based on information in its possession, the Line 
contains no 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 issuance of this notice, the board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b).\2\ A final decision will be 
issued by April 10, 2013.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The Board has previously denied a petition by BNSF to 
abandon the Line. The Burlington N. Santa Fe Ry.--Abandoment of 
Chicago Area Trackage in Cook County, Ill., AB 6 (Sub-No. 382X) (STB 
served Sept. 21, 1999).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 the 
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 30, 
2013. 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. 482X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 
395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423; and (2) Karl Morell, Ball Janik 
LLP, 655 15th Street NW., Suite 225, Washington, DC 20005. Replies to 
the petition are due on or before January 30, 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 C.F.R. pt. 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 generally will be within 
30 days of its service.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at 
www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: January 4, 2013.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2013-00324 Filed 1-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P