Surface Transportation Board June 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On July 30, 2001, the Six County Association of Governments (SCAOG) filed a Petition for Exemption with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502 for authority to construct and operate a new rail line between Juab (near Levan) and Salina, Utah. The project involves approximately 43 miles of new rail line and ancillary facilities. Because the construction and operation of this project has the potential to result in significant environmental impacts, the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA), in cooperation with the Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management, prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS). The purpose of this Notice of Availability is to notify individuals and agencies interested in or affected by the proposed project of the availability of the Draft EIS for review and comment. Implementation of the proposed project would restore rail service to the Sevier Valley, provide rail service to shippers, and reduce the number of trucks on area highways. The Draft EIS analyses the potential impacts of the proposed route, the ``no-build'' alternative, and another build alternative. The Draft EIS addresses environmental issues and concerns identified during the scoping process. It also contains SEA's preliminary recommendations for environmental mitigation measures. The Draft EIS is being made available for public and agency review and comment. SEA will prepare a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) that considers comments on the Draft EIS from the public and agencies. In reaching its decision in this case, the Board will take into account the Draft EIS, the Final EIS, and all environmental comments that are received.

The Board proposes, and seeks comment on, three changes to its released rates authorization, to enhance the protection of consumers whose household goods are damaged or lost by motor common carriers.