[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 11, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 67765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26665]
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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
[Docket No. AB 1291X]
Alcoa Energy Services, Inc.--Abandonment Exemption--in Milam
County, Tex.
On November 21, 2019, Alcoa Energy Services, Inc. (AESI), 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 for AESI to abandon approximately six miles of railroad
line extending between milepost 0.0 at a point of connection with Union
Pacific Railroad Company at Marjorie, Tex., and milepost 6.0 at Sandow,
Tex. (the Line).\1\ The Line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes
76567 and 76577.
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\1\ AESI states that it does not know if the Line has any
stations, but it believes that the Line may include the stations of
Marjorie and Sandow.
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AESI acquired the Line in 2018. See Alcoa Energy Servs., Inc.--
Acquis. Exemption--Rockdale, Sandow & S. R.R., FD 36257 (STB served
Dec. 14, 2018). AESI states that, after almost a year of ownership,
there is no current demand for rail service and no apparent traffic
prospects. (Pet. 3.) \2\ AESI states that, if the petition for
exemption is granted, it intends for the time being to preserve the
Line as private, unregulated trackage, but it cannot rule out the
possibility of future salvage. (Pet. 2.)
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\2\ According to the petition, Alcoa USA Corp. owns an inactive
smelter facility (Sandow Facility) on the Line which will not be
restored to operation. (Pet. 1-2.)
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AESI believes that it possesses fee title interest in the
underlying right-of-way, and, as such, that there is no federally
granted right-of-way along the route. Any documentation in the
railroad's possession regarding federally granted right-of-way will be
made available promptly to those requesting it.
AESI states that, because it proposes to abandon its entire
railroad system, it is appropriate that no labor protective conditions
be imposed. (Pet. 7 (citing Knox & Kane R.R.--Aban. Exemption--McKean
Cty., Pa., AB 551 (Sub-No. 2X) (STB served July 24, 2015).)
By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be
issued by March 10, 2020.
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 December 23, 2019, 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 authorization for 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 December 31,
2019.\3\
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\3\ Filing fees for OFAs and trail use requests can be found at
49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25) and (27), respectively.
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All pleadings, referring to Docket No. AB 1291X, 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 AESI's representative, Robert
A. Wimbish, Fletcher & Sippel LLC, 29 North Wacker Drive, Suite 800,
Chicago, IL 60606. Replies to this petition are due on or before
December 31, 2019.
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 agencies or other 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: December 5, 2019.
By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Kenyatta Clay,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2019-26665 Filed 12-10-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P