Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway CompanyAbandonment Exemptionin Harrison and Jefferson Counties, OH

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 139 (Wednesday, July 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39186-39187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18505]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Docket No. AB-227 (Sub-No. 9X)]


Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway Company--Abandonment Exemption--in 
Harrison and Jefferson Counties, OH

    On July 1, 1999, Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company (W&LE) filed 
with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) a petition under 49 
U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to 
abandon its line of railroad known as the Valley Line extending from 
milepost 188.5 near Unionvale to milepost 205.54 near Warrenton, a 
distance of approximately 18 miles in Jefferson and Harrison Counties, 
OH. The line traverses U.S.

[[Page 39187]]

Postal Service ZIP Codes 43901, 43907, 43917, and 43943, and includes 
the stations of East Cadiz (milepost 185), Kenwood (milepost 189), 
Adena (milepost 192), Dillonvale (milepost 199.9), and Warrenton 
(milepost 204).
    The line does not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in W&LE's possession will be made available promptly to 
those requesting it.
    The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the 
conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line R. Co.--Abandonment--Goshen, 
360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).
    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 October 19, 1999.
    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) 
will be due no later than 10 days after service of a decision granting 
the petition for exemption. Each offer must be accompanied by a $1,000 
filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
    All interested persons should be aware that, following abandonment 
of rail service and salvage of the line, 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 trail use/rail banking under 
49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than August 10, 1999. Each trail 
use request must be accompanied by a $150 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(27).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-227 (Sub-No. 9X) and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation 
Board, Office of the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20423-0001; and (2) Christopher E.V. Quinn, Two 
Prudential Plaza, 45th Floor, 180 North Stetson Avenue, Chicago, IL 
60601. Replies to the W&LE petition are due on or before August 10, 
1999.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Services at (202) 
565-1592 or refer to the full abandonment or discontinuance regulations 
at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning environmental issues may be 
directed to the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) at 
(202) 565-1545. [TDD for the hearing impaired is available at (202) 
565-1695.]
    An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement 
(EIS), if necessary) prepared by SEA will be served upon all parties of 
record and upon any agencies or other persons who commented during its 
preparation. Other interested persons may contact SEA to obtain a copy 
of the EA (or EIS). EAs in these 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 will generally be within 
30 days of its service.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our website at 
``WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''

    By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of 
Proceedings.

    Decided: July 14, 1999.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-18505 Filed 7-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P