Norfolk Southern Railway Company-Abandonment Exemption-in Bergen County, NJ, 69676-69677 [2020-24245]

Download as PDF 69676 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 213 / Tuesday, November 3, 2020 / Notices Affairs, Attention: Michael J. McManus, Surface Transportation Board Desk Officer: by email at oira_submission@omb.eop.gov; by fax at (202) 395–1743; or by mail to Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503. Please also direct comments to Chris Oehrle, PRA Officer, Surface Transportation Board, at PRA@stb.gov. For further information regarding this collection, contact Michael Higgins, Deputy Director, Office of Public Assistance, Governmental Affairs, and Compliance at (202) 245–0284 and at Michael.Higgins@stb.gov. Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments are requested concerning: (1) The accuracy of the Board’s burden estimates; (2) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (3) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, when appropriate; and (4) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility. Submitted comments will be summarized and included in the Board’s request for OMB approval. TABLE—ESTIMATED TIME PER RESPONSE Estimated time per response (hours) Type of responses Weekly .................................. Quarterly ............................... On occasion .......................... Description of Collection Title: Rail Service Data Collection. OMB Control Number: 2140–0033. STB Form Number: None. Type of Review: Extension without change. Respondents: Class I railroads (on behalf of themselves and the Chicago Transportation Coordination Office (‘‘CTCO’’)). Number of Respondents: Seven. Estimated Time per Response: The collection seeks three related responses, as indicated in the table below. 1.5 1.5 1.5 Frequency: The frequencies of the collection are set forth in the table below. TABLE—FREQUENCY OF RESPONSES Frequency of responses (year) Type of responses Weekly .................................. Quarterly ............................... On occasion .......................... 52 4 2 Total Burden Hours (annually including all respondents): The total annual burden hours are estimated to be no more than 591 hours per year, as indicated in the table below. TABLE—TOTAL BURDEN HOURS [per year] khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Estimated time per response (hours) Number of respondents Type of responses Frequency of responses (year) Total yearly burden hours Weekly ............................................................................................................. Quarterly .......................................................................................................... On occasion ..................................................................................................... 7 7 1 1.5 1.5 1.5 52 4 2 546 42 3 Total .......................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ 591 Total ‘‘Non-hour Burden’’ Cost: There are no other costs identified because filings are submitted electronically to the Board. Needs and Uses: Under 49 CFR Part 1250, the Board requires the nation’s seven Class I (large) railroads and the Chicago Transportation Coordination Office (CTCO), through its Class I members, to report certain railroad service performance metrics on a weekly basis and certain other information on a quarterly and occasional basis. This collection of rail service data aids the Board in identifying rail service issues, allowing the Board to better understand current service issues and to identify and address potential future regional and national service disruptions more quickly. The transparency resulting from this collection also benefits rail shippers and other stakeholders by helping them to better plan operations and make informed decisions based on VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:55 Nov 02, 2020 Jkt 253001 publicly available, near real-time data and their own analysis of performance trends over time. Under the PRA, a federal agency that conducts or sponsors a collection of information must display a currently valid OMB control number. A collection of information, which is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c), includes agency requirements that persons submit reports, keep records, or provide information to the agency, third parties, or the public. Section 3507(b) of the PRA requires, concurrent with an agency’s submitting a collection to OMB for approval, a 30-day notice and comment period through publication in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information. PO 00000 Frm 00113 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: October 29, 2020. Tammy Lowery, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2020–24340 Filed 11–2–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD [Docket No. AB 290 (Sub-No. 407X)] Norfolk Southern Railway Company— Abandonment Exemption—in Bergen County, NJ On October 14, 2020, Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) filed with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon an approximately 1.2-mile rail line in Bergen County, NJ (the Line). The Line extends from milepost UQ 9.0 to milepost UQ 10.2 and traverses U.S. E:\FR\FM\03NON1.SGM 03NON1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 213 / Tuesday, November 3, 2020 / Notices Postal Service Zip Codes 07070 and 07073. NSR states that it is seeking to abandon the Line because the Line has been dormant for more than two decades.1 (Pet. 2–3, 12.) According to NSR, it plans to convey the Line’s rightof-way to Open Space Institute Land Trust, Inc. (OSI), and ultimately to Bergen County, so that the Line may be used for a public redevelopment project. (Id. at 2, 14.) NSR states that OSI, in partnership with Bergen County, plans to redevelop the Line, create greenways, and provide for alternative modal access to various sites located along the Line. (Id. at 2, 4, 10.) In addition to an exemption from 49 U.S.C. 10903, NSR also seeks an exemption from the offer of financial assistance procedures of 49 U.S.C. 10904. In support, NSR states that the Line is needed for a valid public purpose, i.e., the redevelopment project, and there is no overriding public need for continued freight rail service along the Line. (Pet. 15.) According to NSR, the reinstitution of freight rail service under section 10904 would be incompatible with the intended use of the Line by OSI and Bergen County. (Id.) This request will be addressed in the final decision. NSR states that, based on the information in its possession, the Line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. (Id. at 3.) Any documentation in NSR’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 February 1, 2021. Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) will be due no later than 120 days after the filing of the petition for exemption, or 10 days after service of a decision granting the petition for exemption, whichever occurs sooner. Persons interested in submitting an OFA must first file a formal expression of intent to file an offer by November 13, 2020, indicating the type of financial assistance they wish to provide (i.e., subsidy or purchase) and demonstrating 1 NSR states that it has served no customers on the Line since it acquired the property from the Consolidated Rail Corporation in 1999. (Pet. 3.) VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:55 Nov 02, 2020 Jkt 253001 that they are preliminarily financially responsible. See 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(1)(i). Following abandonment, 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 interim trail use/rail banking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than November 23, 2020.2 All pleadings, referring to Docket No. AB 290 (Sub-No. 407X), should be filed with the Surface Transportation Board via e-filing on the Board’s website. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be served on NSR’s representative, William A. Mullins, Baker & Miller PLLC, 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20037. Replies to the petition are due on or before November 23, 2020. 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 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 Relay Service at (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 other agencies or persons who comment during its preparation. Other interested persons may contact OEA to obtain a copy of the EA (or EIS). EAs in 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 at www.stb.gov. Decided: October 28, 2020. By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings. Kenyatta Clay, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2020–24245 Filed 11–2–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P Frm 00114 Fmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2020–0027] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 21 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. DATES: The exemptions are applicable on October 30, 2020. The exemptions expire on October 30, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical Programs Division, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W64–224, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Dockets Operations, (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Public Participation A. Viewing Documents and Comments To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this notice as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov/ docket?D=FMCSA-2020-0027 and choose the document to review. If you do not have access to the internet, you may view the docket online by visiting Dockets Operations in Room W12–140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 366–9317 or (202) 366–9826 before visiting Dockets Operations. B. Privacy Act 2 According to NSR, because it plans to sell the Line to OSI (and ultimately Bergen County), it is unwilling to negotiate for interim trail use. (Pet. 14.) Nevertheless, filing fees for OFAs and trail use requests can be found at 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25) and (27), respectively. PO 00000 69677 Sfmt 4703 In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in E:\FR\FM\03NON1.SGM 03NON1

Agencies

Surface Transportation Board

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 213 (Tuesday, November 3, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69676-69677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24245]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. AB 290 (Sub-No. 407X)]


Norfolk Southern Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Bergen County, NJ

    On October 14, 2020, Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) filed 
with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 
U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the prior approval requirements of 49 
U.S.C. 10903 to abandon an approximately 1.2-mile rail line in Bergen 
County, NJ (the Line). The Line extends from milepost UQ 9.0 to 
milepost UQ 10.2 and traverses U.S.

[[Page 69677]]

Postal Service Zip Codes 07070 and 07073.
    NSR states that it is seeking to abandon the Line because the Line 
has been dormant for more than two decades.\1\ (Pet. 2-3, 12.) 
According to NSR, it plans to convey the Line's right-of-way to Open 
Space Institute Land Trust, Inc. (OSI), and ultimately to Bergen 
County, so that the Line may be used for a public redevelopment 
project. (Id. at 2, 14.) NSR states that OSI, in partnership with 
Bergen County, plans to redevelop the Line, create greenways, and 
provide for alternative modal access to various sites located along the 
Line. (Id. at 2, 4, 10.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ NSR states that it has served no customers on the Line since 
it acquired the property from the Consolidated Rail Corporation in 
1999. (Pet. 3.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to an exemption from 49 U.S.C. 10903, NSR also seeks an 
exemption from the offer of financial assistance procedures of 49 
U.S.C. 10904. In support, NSR states that the Line is needed for a 
valid public purpose, i.e., the redevelopment project, and there is no 
overriding public need for continued freight rail service along the 
Line. (Pet. 15.) According to NSR, the reinstitution of freight rail 
service under section 10904 would be incompatible with the intended use 
of the Line by OSI and Bergen County. (Id.) This request will be 
addressed in the final decision.
    NSR states that, based on the information in its possession, the 
Line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. (Id. at 3.) Any 
documentation in NSR'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 February 1, 2021.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) 
will be due no later than 120 days after the filing of the petition for 
exemption, or 10 days after service of a decision granting the petition 
for exemption, whichever occurs sooner. Persons interested in 
submitting an OFA must first file a formal expression of intent to file 
an offer by November 13, 2020, indicating the type of financial 
assistance they wish to provide (i.e., subsidy or purchase) and 
demonstrating that they are preliminarily financially responsible. See 
49 CFR 1152.27(c)(1)(i).
    Following abandonment, 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 interim trail use/rail banking 
under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than November 23, 2020.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ According to NSR, because it plans to sell the Line to OSI 
(and ultimately Bergen County), it is unwilling to negotiate for 
interim trail use. (Pet. 14.) Nevertheless, filing fees for OFAs and 
trail use requests can be found at 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25) and (27), 
respectively.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. AB 290 (Sub-No. 407X), 
should be filed with the Surface Transportation Board via e-filing on 
the Board's website. In addition, a copy of each pleading must be 
served on NSR's representative, William A. Mullins, Baker & Miller 
PLLC, 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20037. 
Replies to the petition are due on or before November 23, 2020.
    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 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 Relay Service at 
(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 other agencies or persons who comment during its 
preparation. Other interested persons may contact OEA to obtain a copy 
of the EA (or EIS). EAs in 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 at www.stb.gov.

    Decided: October 28, 2020.

    By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Kenyatta Clay,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2020-24245 Filed 11-2-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P

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