Southern Switching Company (SSC), a Class III rail carrier, has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41 to operate approximately 3.18 miles of rail line at an industrial park near Big Springs, in Howard County, Tex. (the Line), pursuant to an operating agreement with its sister rail carrier, Lone Star Railroad, Inc. (LSR), the owner of the Line.^[1] There are no mileposts on the Line.^[2]

According to SSC, the Line connects with a rail line owned and operated by Union Pacific Railroad Company between Dallas and El Paso, Tex.

SSC states that the agreement regarding the subject line does not involve an interchange commitment. SSC also states that its projected annual revenues as a result of this transaction do not exceed those that would qualify it as a Class III rail carrier and will not exceed $5 million.

The transaction may be consummated on or after April 16, 2016, 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 no later than April 8, 2016 (at least seven days before the exemption becomes effective).

An original and 10 copies of all pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 36013, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, one copy of each pleading must be served on applicant's representative, Thomas F. McFarland, Thomas F. McFarland, P.C., 208 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1890, Chicago, IL 60604.

According to SSC, this action is categorically excluded from environmental review under 49 CFR 1105.6(c).

Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.