Watco Holdings, Inc.-Continuance in Control Exemption-Elwood Joliet & Southern Railroad, L.L.C., 65132-65133 [2020-22688]

Download as PDF 65132 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 199 / Wednesday, October 14, 2020 / Notices office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–CBOE–2020–091 and should be submitted on or before November 4, 2020. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.17 J. Matthew DeLesDernier, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2020–22713 Filed 10–13–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD [Docket No. FD 36444] jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Grafton and Upton Railroad Company—Acquisition and Operation Exemption—CSX Transportation, Inc. Grafton and Upton Railroad Company (G&U), a Class III carrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41 to acquire by easement and operate approximately 8.4 miles of rail line (known as the Milford Secondary) between milepost QVG 0 and milepost QVG 8.4 in Milford, Bellingham, and Franklin, Mass. (the Line), which is owned by CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT). The verified notice states that G&U will operate and exclusively provide all common carrier freight service to shippers served by the Line pursuant to an Easement Agreement and related agreements with CSXT. According to G&U, the agreements provide for an initial term of ten years, subject to three five-year extensions if certain conditions are met. G&U certifies that its projected annual revenues as a result of this transaction will not exceed $5 million or the threshold required to qualify as a Class III carrier. G&U also certifies that the proposed transaction does not involve a provision or agreement that may limit future interchange with a third-party connecting carrier. The transaction may be consummated on or after October 28, 2020, the effective date of the exemption (30 days after the verified notice was filed). If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void ab initio. Petitions to revoke the exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) 17 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:15 Oct 13, 2020 Jkt 253001 may be filed at any time. The filing of a petition to revoke will not automatically stay the effectiveness of the exemption. Petitions for stay must be filed no later than October 21, 2020 (at least seven days before the exemption becomes effective). All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36444, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board either via e-filing or in writing addressed to 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20423–0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on G&U’s representative, James E. Howard, 57 Via Buena Vista, Monterey, CA 93940. According to G&U, this action is categorically excluded from environmental review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from historic preservation reporting requirements under 49 CFR 1105.8(b). Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov. Decided: October 7, 2020. By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings. Regena Smith-Bernard, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2020–22654 Filed 10–13–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD [Docket No. FD 36438] Watco Holdings, Inc.—Continuance in Control Exemption—Elwood Joliet & Southern Railroad, L.L.C. Watco Holdings, Inc. (Watco), a noncarrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(2) to continue in control of Elwood Joliet & Southern Railroad, L.L.C. (EJSR), a noncarrier controlled by Watco, upon EJSR’s becoming a Class III rail carrier. This transaction is related to a verified notice of exemption filed concurrently in Elwood Joliet & Southern Railroad, L.L.C.—Lease and Operation Exemption—Wisconsin Central Ltd., Docket No. FD 36437, in which EJSR seeks to lease from Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL) and operate approximately 1.2 miles of rail line extending from a point immediately east of a switch that lies 0.1 mile west of the switch at WCL milepost 2.4/ Phoenix milepost 0.0 at Sprague, in Crest Hill, Ill., to Phoenix milepost 1.1 in Joliet, Ill. The transaction may be consummated on or after October 28, 2020, the effective date of the exemption. According to the verified notice of exemption, Watco currently controls PO 00000 Frm 00107 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 indirectly 38 Class III railroads 1 and one Class II railroad, collectively operating in 28 states.2 For a complete list of these rail carriers and the states in which they operate, see the Appendix to Watco’s September 24, 2020 verified notice of exemption. The verified notice is available at www.stb.gov. Watco represents that: (1) The rail line to be operated by EJSR does not connect with the rail lines of any of the rail carriers controlled by Watco; (2) this transaction is not part of a series of anticipated transactions that would connect EJSR with any railroad in the Watco corporate family; and (3) the transaction does not involve a Class I rail carrier. The proposed transaction is therefore exempt from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11323 pursuant to 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(2). Watco states that the transaction will allow it to exercise common control of its existing rail carrier subsidiaries and EJSR and that, in turn, the control exemption will allow EJSR to proceed with the lease and operation of the line as contemplated in Docket No. FD 36437. Under 49 U.S.C. 10502(g), the Board may not use its exemption authority to relieve a rail carrier of its statutory obligation to protect the interests of its employees. Because the transaction involves the control of one Class II and one or more Class III rail carriers, the transaction is subject to the labor protection requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11326(b) and Wisconsin Central Ltd.— Acquisition Exemption—Lines of Union Pacific Railroad, 2 S.T.B. 218 (1997). If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption 1 Watco’s list of carriers states that Geaux Geaux Railroad (GGRR) is a trade name for Bogalusa Bayou Railroad, L.L.C. (BBRR). (See also Watco Letter 1– 2 (stating that GGRR is a trade name of BBRR).) Some previous Watco filings in other dockets had suggested that GGRR was an additional, distinct carrier controlled by Watco. See Watco Notice of Exemption 8–9, Watco Holdings, Inc.—Continuance in Control Exemption—Savannah & Old Fort R.R., FD 36337 (listing ‘‘Geaux Geaux River’’ as an additional Watco carrier); Watco Notice of Exemption 8–9, Watco Holdings, Inc.—Continuance in Control Exemption—Ithaca Cent. R.R., FD 36243 (same); Watco Notice of Exemption 8–9, Watco Holdings, Inc.—Continuance in Control Exemption—Decatur & E. Ill. R.R., FD 36209 (same). Watco now states that that is not the case. Rather, Geaux Geaux Railroad, L.L.C.—an entity distinct from BBRR and not affiliated with Watco—acquired a line and later granted BBRR operating rights over it, which BBRR has carried out under the trade name GGRR. See Geaux Geaux R.R.—Acquis. & Operation Exemption—Ill. Cent. R.R., FD 35826 (STB served May 23, 2014); Bogalusa Bayou R.R. d/ b/a Geaux Geaux R.R.—Operation Exemption— Geaux Geaux R.R., FD 35904 (STB served Feb. 13, 2015). 2 Although Watco’s verified notice states that the carriers it controls operate in 27 states, the notice lists 28 different states. E:\FR\FM\14OCN1.SGM 14OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 199 / Wednesday, October 14, 2020 / Notices 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 for stay must be filed no later than October 21, 2020 (at least seven days before the exemption becomes effective). All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36438, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board either via e-filing or in writing addressed to 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20423–0001. In addition, one copy of each pleading must be served on Watco’s representative, Bradon J. Smith, Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 North Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606–3208. According to Watco, this action is categorically excluded from environmental review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from historic reporting requirements under 49 CFR 1105.8(b). Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov. Decided: October 8, 2020. By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings. Kenyatta Clay, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2020–22688 Filed 10–13–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD [Docket No. FD 36437] jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Elwood Joliet & Southern Railroad, L.L.C.—Lease and Operation Exemption—Wisconsin Central Ltd. Elwood Joliet & Southern Railroad, L.L.C. (EJSR), a noncarrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 to lease from Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL) and operate approximately 1.2 miles of rail line extending from a point immediately east of a switch that lies 0.1 mile west of the switch at WCL milepost 2.4/Phoenix milepost 0.0 at Sprague, in Crest Hill, Ill., to Phoenix milepost 1.1 in Joliet, Ill. (Phoenix Line). This transaction is related to a concurrently filed verified notice of exemption in Watco Holdings, Inc.— Continuance in Control Exemption— Elwood Joliet & Southern Railroad, L.L.C., Docket No. FD 36438, in which Watco Holdings, Inc., seeks to continue in control of EJSR upon EJSR’s becoming a Class III rail carrier. EJSR states that it and WCL will shortly execute agreements pursuant to which EJSR will lease the Phoenix Line from WCL and will be the operator of the Phoenix Line. EJSR further states VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:15 Oct 13, 2020 Jkt 253001 that the proposed agreements between EJSR and WCL do not contain any provision limiting EJSR’s future interchange of traffic on the Phoenix Line with a third-party connecting carrier. EJSR certifies that its projected annual revenues as a result of this transaction will not result in EJSR’s becoming a Class II or Class I rail carrier. EJSR further certifies that its projected annual revenue will not exceed $5 million. The transaction may be consummated on or after October 28, 2020, the effective date of the exemption. If the verified 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 for stay must be filed no later than October 21, 2020 (at least seven days before the exemption becomes effective). All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36437, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board either via e-filing or in writing addressed to 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20423–0001. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on EJSR’s representative, Bradon J. Smith, Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 North Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606–3208. According to EJSR, this action is categorically excluded from environmental review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from historic reporting requirements under 49 CFR 1105.8(b). Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov. Decided: October 8, 2020. By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings. Kenyatta Clay, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2020–22693 Filed 10–13–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration [Docket No. FAA–2020–0986] Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Helicopter Air Ambulance Operator Reports Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00108 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 65133 In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection involves the requirement for Helicopter Air Ambulance Operators to report certain information to the FAA. The FAA collects 14 pieces of data from helicopter air ambulance operators, 8 of which are mandated in the report to Congress. We collect data on the following: number of helicopters, helicopter base locations, number of hours the helicopters are flown, number of patients transported, number of transportation requests accepted or denied, number of accidents, number of instrument flight hours flown, number of night flight hours flown, number of incidents, and the rate of accidents or incidents per 100,000 flight hours. The information to be collected will be used in helping the FAA develop risk mitigation strategies and provide information to Congress. DATES: Written comments should be submitted by December 14, 2020. ADDRESSES: Please send written comments: By Electronic Docket: www.regulations.gov (Enter docket number into search field). By mail: Sandra Ray, Federal Aviation Administration, Policy Integration Branch AFS–270, 1187 Thorn Run Road, Suite 200, Coraopolis, PA 15108. By fax: 412–239–3063. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Luipersbeck by email at: Thomas.A.Luipersbeck@faa.gov; phone: 615–202–9683. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for FAA’s performance; (b) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d) ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB’s clearance of this information collection. OMB Control Number: 2120–0761. Title: Helicopter Air Ambulance Operator Reports. Form Numbers: 2120–0756. Type of Review: Renewal of an information collection. Background: The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (The Act) SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\14OCN1.SGM 14OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 199 (Wednesday, October 14, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65132-65133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22688]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. FD 36438]


Watco Holdings, Inc.--Continuance in Control Exemption--Elwood 
Joliet & Southern Railroad, L.L.C.

    Watco Holdings, Inc. (Watco), a noncarrier, has filed a verified 
notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(2) to continue in control of 
Elwood Joliet & Southern Railroad, L.L.C. (EJSR), a noncarrier 
controlled by Watco, upon EJSR's becoming a Class III rail carrier.
    This transaction is related to a verified notice of exemption filed 
concurrently in Elwood Joliet & Southern Railroad, L.L.C.--Lease and 
Operation Exemption--Wisconsin Central Ltd., Docket No. FD 36437, in 
which EJSR seeks to lease from Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL) and operate 
approximately 1.2 miles of rail line extending from a point immediately 
east of a switch that lies 0.1 mile west of the switch at WCL milepost 
2.4/Phoenix milepost 0.0 at Sprague, in Crest Hill, Ill., to Phoenix 
milepost 1.1 in Joliet, Ill.
    The transaction may be consummated on or after October 28, 2020, 
the effective date of the exemption.
    According to the verified notice of exemption, Watco currently 
controls indirectly 38 Class III railroads \1\ and one Class II 
railroad, collectively operating in 28 states.\2\ For a complete list 
of these rail carriers and the states in which they operate, see the 
Appendix to Watco's September 24, 2020 verified notice of exemption. 
The verified notice is available at www.stb.gov.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Watco's list of carriers states that Geaux Geaux Railroad 
(GGRR) is a trade name for Bogalusa Bayou Railroad, L.L.C. (BBRR). 
(See also Watco Letter 1-2 (stating that GGRR is a trade name of 
BBRR).) Some previous Watco filings in other dockets had suggested 
that GGRR was an additional, distinct carrier controlled by Watco. 
See Watco Notice of Exemption 8-9, Watco Holdings, Inc.--Continuance 
in Control Exemption--Savannah & Old Fort R.R., FD 36337 (listing 
``Geaux Geaux River'' as an additional Watco carrier); Watco Notice 
of Exemption 8-9, Watco Holdings, Inc.--Continuance in Control 
Exemption--Ithaca Cent. R.R., FD 36243 (same); Watco Notice of 
Exemption 8-9, Watco Holdings, Inc.--Continuance in Control 
Exemption--Decatur & E. Ill. R.R., FD 36209 (same). Watco now states 
that that is not the case. Rather, Geaux Geaux Railroad, L.L.C.--an 
entity distinct from BBRR and not affiliated with Watco--acquired a 
line and later granted BBRR operating rights over it, which BBRR has 
carried out under the trade name GGRR. See Geaux Geaux R.R.--Acquis. 
& Operation Exemption--Ill. Cent. R.R., FD 35826 (STB served May 23, 
2014); Bogalusa Bayou R.R. d/b/a Geaux Geaux R.R.--Operation 
Exemption--Geaux Geaux R.R., FD 35904 (STB served Feb. 13, 2015).
    \2\ Although Watco's verified notice states that the carriers it 
controls operate in 27 states, the notice lists 28 different states.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Watco represents that: (1) The rail line to be operated by EJSR 
does not connect with the rail lines of any of the rail carriers 
controlled by Watco; (2) this transaction is not part of a series of 
anticipated transactions that would connect EJSR with any railroad in 
the Watco corporate family; and (3) the transaction does not involve a 
Class I rail carrier. The proposed transaction is therefore exempt from 
the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11323 pursuant to 49 CFR 
1180.2(d)(2). Watco states that the transaction will allow it to 
exercise common control of its existing rail carrier subsidiaries and 
EJSR and that, in turn, the control exemption will allow EJSR to 
proceed with the lease and operation of the line as contemplated in 
Docket No. FD 36437.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 10502(g), the Board may not use its exemption 
authority to relieve a rail carrier of its statutory obligation to 
protect the interests of its employees. Because the transaction 
involves the control of one Class II and one or more Class III rail 
carriers, the transaction is subject to the labor protection 
requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11326(b) and Wisconsin Central Ltd.--
Acquisition Exemption--Lines of Union Pacific Railroad, 2 S.T.B. 218 
(1997).
    If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, 
the exemption

[[Page 65133]]

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 for stay must be filed no later than October 21, 2020 (at 
least seven days before the exemption becomes effective).
    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36438, must be filed with 
the Surface Transportation Board either via e-filing or in writing 
addressed to 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, 
one copy of each pleading must be served on Watco's representative, 
Bradon J. Smith, Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 North Wacker Drive, Suite 
800, Chicago, IL 60606-3208.
    According to Watco, this action is categorically excluded from 
environmental review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and from historic reporting 
requirements under 49 CFR 1105.8(b).
    Board decisions and notices are available at www.stb.gov.

    Decided: October 8, 2020.

    By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Kenyatta Clay,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2020-22688 Filed 10-13-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P
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