[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 21 (Friday, January 31, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 5767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01900]


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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. FD 36324]


Georgia Southern Railway Co.--Lease and Operation Exemption 
Containing Interchange Commitments--The South Western Rail Road 
Company, Central of Georgia Railroad Company, and Norfolk Southern 
Railway Company

    Georgia Southern Railway Co. (GASR), a Class III rail carrier, has 
filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41 to continue 
to lease and operate three rail lines totaling approximately 52.8 miles 
in length (not inclusive of yard track). GASR will continue to lease: 
(1) From Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) the Roberta Line, from 
milepost 95.5-FV, at or near Roberta, to milepost 105.3-FV, at or near 
Fort Valley, in Peach and Crawford Counties, Ga. (approximately 9.8 
miles); (2) from Central of Georgia Railroad Company (CGR), a wholly 
owned subsidiary of NSR, the Metter Line, from milepost W-57.5, at or 
near Dover, to milepost W-86.7 at or near Metter, in Candler, Bulloch, 
and Screven Counties, Ga. (approximately 29.2 miles); and (3) from CGR 
and the South Western Rail Road Company (SWRR), a subsidiary of CGR, 
the Perry Line, from milepost N-219.7, at or near Fort Valley to 
milepost N-232.6, at or near Perry, in Peach and Houston Counties, Ga. 
(approximately 12.9 miles) (the Lines).\1\
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    \1\ On January 27, 2020, GASR filed a supplement to correct the 
description of the Metter Line.
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    In 2009, Georgia Midland Railroad, Inc., assigned its lease of the 
Lines to GASR. See Ga. S. Ry.--Lease & Operation Exemption & Operation 
Exemption--Certain Lines of Ga. Midland R.R., et al., FD 35322 (STB 
served Dec. 2, 2009). According to the verified notice, GASR has 
executed lease renewal agreements with NSR for the Roberta Line, with 
CGR for the Metter Line, and with CGR and SWRR for the Perry Line, for 
a period of ten years.
    GASR certifies that its projected annual revenues as a result of 
the proposed transaction will not result in GASR's becoming a Class I 
or Class II rail carrier and will not exceed $5 million. GASR has 
disclosed in its verified notice that the lease renewals with CGR and 
SWRR contain an interchange commitment, in the form of lease 
credits.\2\ GASR has provided additional information regarding the 
interchange commitments as required by 49 CFR 1150.43(h).
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    \2\ Copies of the lease renewal agreements with the interchange 
commitments were submitted under seal. See 49 CFR 1150.43(h)(1).
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    The transaction may be consummated on or after February 14, 2020, 
the effective date of the exemption (30 days after the verified notice 
of exemption 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) 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 by 
February 7, 2020 (at least seven days before the exemption becomes 
effective).
    All pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36324, 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 GASR's representative, W. Karl 
Hansen, Stinson LLP, 50 South Sixth Street, Suite 2600, Minneapolis, MN 
55402.
    According to GASR, 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: January 28, 2020.

    By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director, Office of Proceedings.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2020-01900 Filed 1-30-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4915-01-P