Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Tex.-Acquisition Exemption-Union Pacific Railroad Company (Right To Restore Rail Service Over a Railbanked Right-of-Way in Harris, Fort Bend, Austin, Wharton, and Colorado Counties, Tex.), 47724-47725 [2014-19279]

Download as PDF tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 47724 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 157 / Thursday, August 14, 2014 / Notices enhancements to one-call laws. AGA also notes numbering errors in Part D. Response: PHMSA believes that the proposed information on the apparent root cause of excavation damages is adequate. The four apparent root cause categories are those established by the international Common Ground Alliance (CGA) in their Damage Information and Reporting Tool (DIRT). In DIRT, and in the PHMSA incident and accident reports, ‘‘Failure to Call’’ is one of three subcategories under ‘‘One-Call Notification Practices Not Sufficient.’’ For incidents, the additional level of detail is appropriate since there are fewer reports. PHMSA intentionally chose to limit the reporting burden for damages on the annual report by collecting the apparent root cause at a ‘‘higher’’ level. It appears that AGA was reviewing a 2013 edition of the report when they noted errors in the Part D numbering. The 2014 edition of the report in the docket has no numbering errors in Part D. Comment: AGA recommended that Part H, Additional Information, which allows operators to provide text explaining information submitted elsewhere in the annual report, be retained. Response: It appears that AGA was reviewing a 2013 edition of the report when they noted the proposal to eliminate Part H. The 2014 edition of the report in the docket does not propose the elimination of Part H. Comment: AGA expressed concern about portions of the proposed definition for ‘‘Reconditioned Cast Iron.’’ AGA also noted an error in the instructions regarding where to describe ‘‘other’’ pipe materials. Response: PHMSA concurs with these comments. We revised the definition of ‘‘Reconditioned Cast Iron’’ in line with AGA’s comments. We clarified where operators should enter the description of ‘‘other’’ pipe materials. Comment: Under Part C, Total Leaks And Hazardous Leaks Eliminated/ Repaired During The Year, AGA commented that the leak cause category ‘‘Pipe, Weld Or Joint Failure’’ may exclude certain items, such as leaks on fittings. In addition, AGA commented that the new definition seems to only cover installation errors due to force applied during construction. Response: PHMSA proposes changing the ‘‘Material or Weld’’ category name to ‘‘Pipe, Weld Or Joint Failure’’ to match the name used in the gas distribution incident report. PHMSA concurs with AGA’s comments about fittings and installation errors. PHMSA has revised the instructions for the leak cause VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:42 Aug 13, 2014 Jkt 232001 category ‘‘Pipe, Weld Or Joint Failure’’ accordingly. Comment: Under Part D, Excavation Damage, AGA recommends that PHMSA should include damage to tracer wire in the description of excavation damage. AGA notes that some operators are currently reporting tracer wire damage to DIRT as excavation damage, but the annual report instructions do not specify that tracer wire damages should be reported as excavation damage. Response: PHMSA concurs with the recommendation and has revised the instructions to include damage to tracer wire as excavation damage. Proposed Information Collection Revisions and Request for Comments The following information is provided for each revised information collection: (1) Title of the information collection; (2) OMB control number; (3) Type of request; (4) Abstract of the information collection activity; (5) Description of affected public; (6) Estimate of total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden; and (7) Frequency of collection. PHMSA will request a three-year term of approval for this information collection activity. Title: Incident and Annual Reports for Gas Pipeline Operators. OMB Control Number: N/A. Current Expiration Date: N/A. Type of Request: Revision. Abstract: PHMSA is looking to revise the Gas Distribution Annual Report (PHMSA F 7100.1–1) to make several minor changes related to data collection. Affected Public: Gas distribution pipeline operators. Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden: Total Annual Responses: 1,440. Total Annual Burden Hours: 23,040. Frequency of Collection: Annually. Comments are invited on: (a) The need for the proposed collection of information for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) The accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques. PO 00000 Frm 00113 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Issued in Washington, DC on August 6, 2014. Jeffrey D. Wiese, Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 2014–19186 Filed 8–13–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [Docket No. FD 35846] Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Tex.—Acquisition Exemption—Union Pacific Railroad Company (Right To Restore Rail Service Over a Railbanked Right-ofWay in Harris, Fort Bend, Austin, Wharton, and Colorado Counties, Tex.) Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Tex. (METRO), a noncarrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 to acquire from Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) the right to restore rail service over a rail-banked right-of-way between milepost 3.48 near Bellaire Junction in Houston to milepost 61.2 near Eagle Lake, a distance of 57.72 miles, in Harris, Fort Bend, Austin, Wharton, and Colorado Counties, Tex.1 In an application filed in Union Pacific Railroad Company— Abandonment—in Harris, Fort Bend, Austin, Wharton, and Colorado Counties, Tex., AB 33 (Sub-No. 156) (STB served Aug. 20, 2000), UP was authorized to abandon the line between milepost 3.48 and milepost 52.9. Subsequent to that filing, UP and Metro reached an agreement for rail banking of that segment of the line. The agreement was accompanied by a deed without warranty, pursuant to which UP conveyed the railroad easement, together with all of UP’s other rights, title, and interests in the right-of-way to METRO, subject to certain conditions and exceptions. In a notice of exemption filed in Union Pacific Railroad Company— Abandonment Exemption—in Colorado and Wharton Counties, Tex., AB 33 (Sub-No. 253X), (STB served Feb. 15, 2008), UP was authorized to abandon the 8.3-mile portion of the line known 1 A related notice of exemption was filed in Docket No. FD 35847, Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority—Acquisition Exemption—Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Tex., wherein Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority seeks to acquire from METRO the right to restore rail service over a portion of the rail-banked right-of-way from the Bellaire Branch’s milepost 20, approximately 2,020 feet east of the Harris County and Fort Bend County line, to milepost 61.2 near Eagle Lake, in Colorado County, Tex. The related notice will be addressed in a separate decision. E:\FR\FM\14AUN1.SGM 14AUN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 157 / Thursday, August 14, 2014 / Notices as the Chesterville Industrial Lead, extending from milepost 52.9 near Chesterville to milepost 61.2 near Eagle Lake, in Colorado and Wharton Counties, Tex. UP and METRO subsequently reached an agreement for rail banking of this segment of the line. This agreement was likewise accompanied by a deed without warranty, pursuant to which UP conveyed the railroad easement, together with all of UP’s rights, title, and interests in the right-of-way to METRO, subject to certain conditions and exceptions. Thus, METRO is the interim trail user and obtained from UP its consent to seek Board approval to acquire the rights to restore rail service over both segments of the line. METRO explains that it did not know, at the time, that Board authorization was necessary for it to acquire the right to restore rail service. METRO now, after the fact, invokes the Board’s authorization for that acquisition through a notice of exemption. In King County, Wash.—Acquisition Exemption—BNSF Railway Company, FD 35148, slip op. at 3–4 (STB served Sept. 18, 2009) (King County), the Board granted an individual exemption authorizing the conveyance of the right to restore rail service on a line to a county, explaining that the right to reactivate a rail-banked line is not an exclusive right and would not preclude any other service provider from seeking Board authorization to restore rail service over the rail-banked line if the county did not do so. In King County, slip op. at 4 n.5, both the county acquiring the right and the rail carrier selling that right ‘‘made clear that [the rail carrier did] not wish to retain any rights related to the segments.’’ Likewise, here, the notice indicates that UP did not wish to retain rights related to the line because, by a deed without warranty, UP conveyed to METRO both the right-of-way itself and the right to restore service over the right-of-way. The transaction is expected to be consummated on or after August 28, 2014 (30 days after the exemption was filed). METRO certifies that its projected annual revenues from the acquisition involved in this proceeding do not exceed those that would qualify it as a Class III carrier. If the notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to revoke will not automatically stay the effectiveness of the exemption. Petitions to stay must be VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:42 Aug 13, 2014 Jkt 232001 filed no later than August 21, 2014 (at least 7 days before the exemption becomes effective). An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 35846, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423–0001. In addition, one copy of each pleading must be served on Sean McGowan, Thompson Coburn, LLP, 1909 K St. NW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at WWW.STB.DOT.GOV. Dated: August 11, 2014. By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of Proceedings. Derrick A. Gardner, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2014–19279 Filed 8–13–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of Foreign Assets Control Designation of 3 Individuals Pursuant to Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001, ‘‘Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism’’ Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (‘‘OFAC’’) is publishing the names of 3 individuals whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001, ‘‘Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism.’’ DATES: The designations by the Director of OFAC of the 3 individuals in this notice, pursuant to Executive Order 13224, are effective on August 6, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Assistant Director, Compliance Outreach & Implementation, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20220, tel.: 202/622–2490. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Electronic and Facsimile Availability This document and additional information concerning OFAC are available from OFAC’s Web site (www.treas.gov/ofac) or via facsimile through a 24-hour fax-on-demand service, tel.: 202/622–0077. PO 00000 Frm 00114 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 47725 Background On September 23, 2001, the President issued Executive Order 13224 (the ‘‘Order’’) pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1701–1706, and the United Nations Participation Act of 1945, 22 U.S.C. 287c. In the Order, the President declared a national emergency to address grave acts of terrorism and threats of terrorism committed by foreign terrorists, including the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon. The Order imposes economic sanctions on persons who have committed, pose a significant risk of committing, or support acts of terrorism. The President identified in the Annex to the Order, as amended by Executive Order 13268 of July 2, 2002, 13 individuals and 16 entities as subject to the economic sanctions. The Order was further amended by Executive Order 13284 of January 23, 2003, to reflect the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. Section 1 of the Order blocks, with certain exceptions, all property and interests in property that are in or hereafter come within the United States or the possession or control of United States persons, of: (1) Foreign persons listed in the Annex to the Order; (2) foreign persons determined by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and the Attorney General, to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States; (3) persons determined by the Director of OFAC, in consultation with the Departments of State, Homeland Security and Justice, to be owned or controlled by, or to act for or on behalf of those persons listed in the Annex to the Order or those persons determined to be subject to subsection 1(b), 1(c), or 1(d)(i) of the Order; and (4) except as provided in section 5 of the Order and after such consultation, if any, with foreign authorities as the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and the Attorney General, deems appropriate in the exercise of his discretion, persons determined by the Director of OFAC, in consultation with the Departments of State, Homeland Security and Justice, to assist in, sponsor, or provide financial, material, or technological support for, or financial or other services to or in support of, E:\FR\FM\14AUN1.SGM 14AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 157 (Thursday, August 14, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47724-47725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19279]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. FD 35846]


Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Tex.--
Acquisition Exemption--Union Pacific Railroad Company (Right To Restore 
Rail Service Over a Railbanked Right-of-Way in Harris, Fort Bend, 
Austin, Wharton, and Colorado Counties, Tex.)

    Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Tex. (METRO), a 
noncarrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 
1150.31 to acquire from Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) the right 
to restore rail service over a rail-banked right-of-way between 
milepost 3.48 near Bellaire Junction in Houston to milepost 61.2 near 
Eagle Lake, a distance of 57.72 miles, in Harris, Fort Bend, Austin, 
Wharton, and Colorado Counties, Tex.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ A related notice of exemption was filed in Docket No. FD 
35847, Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority--Acquisition Exemption--
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Tex., wherein Fort 
Bend County Toll Road Authority seeks to acquire from METRO the 
right to restore rail service over a portion of the rail-banked 
right-of-way from the Bellaire Branch's milepost 20, approximately 
2,020 feet east of the Harris County and Fort Bend County line, to 
milepost 61.2 near Eagle Lake, in Colorado County, Tex. The related 
notice will be addressed in a separate decision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In an application filed in Union Pacific Railroad Company--
Abandonment--in Harris, Fort Bend, Austin, Wharton, and Colorado 
Counties, Tex., AB 33 (Sub-No. 156) (STB served Aug. 20, 2000), UP was 
authorized to abandon the line between milepost 3.48 and milepost 52.9. 
Subsequent to that filing, UP and Metro reached an agreement for rail 
banking of that segment of the line. The agreement was accompanied by a 
deed without warranty, pursuant to which UP conveyed the railroad 
easement, together with all of UP's other rights, title, and interests 
in the right-of-way to METRO, subject to certain conditions and 
exceptions.
    In a notice of exemption filed in Union Pacific Railroad Company--
Abandonment Exemption--in Colorado and Wharton Counties, Tex., AB 33 
(Sub-No. 253X), (STB served Feb. 15, 2008), UP was authorized to 
abandon the 8.3-mile portion of the line known

[[Page 47725]]

as the Chesterville Industrial Lead, extending from milepost 52.9 near 
Chesterville to milepost 61.2 near Eagle Lake, in Colorado and Wharton 
Counties, Tex. UP and METRO subsequently reached an agreement for rail 
banking of this segment of the line. This agreement was likewise 
accompanied by a deed without warranty, pursuant to which UP conveyed 
the railroad easement, together with all of UP's rights, title, and 
interests in the right-of-way to METRO, subject to certain conditions 
and exceptions.
    Thus, METRO is the interim trail user and obtained from UP its 
consent to seek Board approval to acquire the rights to restore rail 
service over both segments of the line. METRO explains that it did not 
know, at the time, that Board authorization was necessary for it to 
acquire the right to restore rail service. METRO now, after the fact, 
invokes the Board's authorization for that acquisition through a notice 
of exemption.
    In King County, Wash.--Acquisition Exemption--BNSF Railway Company, 
FD 35148, slip op. at 3-4 (STB served Sept. 18, 2009) (King County), 
the Board granted an individual exemption authorizing the conveyance of 
the right to restore rail service on a line to a county, explaining 
that the right to reactivate a rail-banked line is not an exclusive 
right and would not preclude any other service provider from seeking 
Board authorization to restore rail service over the rail-banked line 
if the county did not do so. In King County, slip op. at 4 n.5, both 
the county acquiring the right and the rail carrier selling that right 
``made clear that [the rail carrier did] not wish to retain any rights 
related to the segments.'' Likewise, here, the notice indicates that UP 
did not wish to retain rights related to the line because, by a deed 
without warranty, UP conveyed to METRO both the right-of-way itself and 
the right to restore service over the right-of-way.
    The transaction is expected to be consummated on or after August 
28, 2014 (30 days after the exemption was filed).
    METRO certifies that its projected annual revenues from the 
acquisition involved in this proceeding do not exceed those that would 
qualify it as a Class III carrier.
    If the notice contains false or misleading information, the 
exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 
U.S.C. 10502(d) may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to 
revoke will not automatically stay the effectiveness of the exemption. 
Petitions to stay must be filed no later than August 21, 2014 (at least 
7 days before the exemption becomes effective).
    An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to Docket No. 
FD 35846, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 395 E 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, one copy of each 
pleading must be served on Sean McGowan, Thompson Coburn, LLP, 1909 K 
St. NW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at 
WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.

    Dated: August 11, 2014.

    By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Derrick A. Gardner,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2014-19279 Filed 8-13-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P

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