First Coast Railroad Inc.-Lease and Operation Exemption-CSX Transportation, Inc., 88853 [2024-26070]

Agencies

• Surface Transportation Board

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 217 (Friday, November 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 88853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-26070]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. FD 36777]


First Coast Railroad Inc.--Lease and Operation Exemption--CSX 
Transportation, Inc.

    First Coast Railroad Inc. (FCRD), a Class III railroad, has filed a 
verified notice of exemption pursuant to 49 CFR 1150.41 to enter into 
an amendment to extend the term of, and to make other minor changes to, 
a lease with CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), for a line of railroad 
extending from Yulee, Fla., at milepost S 611.95, to the end of track 
at Seals, Ga., milepost S 593.4, on the Kingsland Subdivision; and from 
Yulee, milepost SMA 35.1, to the end of track at Fernandina, Fla., 
milepost SMA 48.38, on the Fernandina Subdivision, a distance of 
approximately 31.83 miles (the Line).
    According to the verified notice, FCRD entered into an agreement to 
lease from CSXT and operate the Line in 2005. First Coast R.R.--Lease & 
Operation Exemption--CSX Transp., Inc., FD 34670 (STB served Apr. 25, 
2005). FCRD and CSXT have now agreed to amend the agreement, extending 
it through April 30, 2029. According to the verified notice, FCRD is 
currently operating the Line and will continue to do so after the lease 
amendment becomes effective. FCRD certifies that the amended lease does 
not include an interchange commitment.
    FCRD certifies that its projected annual revenues as a result of 
this transaction will not exceed those that would qualify it as a Class 
III rail carrier and that its annual revenues currently exceed 
$5,000,000. Pursuant to 49 CFR 1150.42(e), if a carrier's projected 
annual revenues will exceed $5 million, it must, at least 60 days 
before the exemption becomes effective, post a notice of its intent to 
undertake the proposed transaction at the workplace of the employees on 
the affected lines, serve a copy of the notice on the national offices 
of the labor unions with employees on the affected lines, and certify 
to the Board that it has done so. However, FCRD has requested waiver of 
the 60-day advance labor notice requirement. FCRD's waiver request will 
be addressed in a separate decision. The Board will establish the 
effective date of the exemption in its separate decision on the waiver 
request.
    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 November 15, 
2024.
    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36777, must be filed with 
the Surface Transportation Board either via e-filing on the Board's 
website or in writing addressed to 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC 
20423-0001. In addition, one copy of each pleading must be served on 
FCRD's representative, Eric M. Hocky, Clark Hill PLC, Two Commerce 
Square, 2001 Market St., Suite 2620, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
    According to FCRD, 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: November 5, 2024.

    By the Board, Scott M. Zimmerman, Acting Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Regena Smith-Bernard,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2024-26070 Filed 11-7-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P