42557                       SERVICE DATE – LATE RELEASE AUGUST 6, 2012

DO

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

 

DECISION

 

Docket No.  AB 1098X

 

Pan Am Southern, LLC–Abandonment Exemption–

In Worcester County, Mass.

 

Docket No.  AB 355 (Sub-No. 41X)

 

Springfield Terminal railway company—Discontinuance of Service Exemption–In Worcester County, Mass.

 

Decided:  August 6, 2012

 

Pan Am Southern, LLC (PAS) and Springfield Terminal Railway Company (ST) (collectively, applicants) jointly filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 C.F.R. pt. 1152 subpart F—Exempt Abandonments and Discontinuances of Service for PAS to abandon, and for ST to discontinue service over, approximately 0.31 miles of rail line known as the Heywood Branch, extending from milepost 26.98 to milepost 27.29 in Gardner, Mass.  Notice of the exemption was served and published in the Federal Register on July 6, 2012 (77 Fed. Reg. 40,147).  The exemption is scheduled to become effective on August 7, 2012.

 

The Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) served an environmental assessment (EA) in this proceeding on July 13, 2012.  In the EA, OEA states that the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) has identified one geodetic station marker in the area of the proposed abandonment.  Accordingly, OEA is recommending a condition that would require the applicants to notify NGS at least 90 days prior to beginning salvage activities that will disturb or destroy the geodetic station marker.

 

Comments on the EA were due July 30, 2012.  No comments to the EA were received by the due date.  Accordingly, the condition recommended by OEA in the EA will be imposed.  Based on OEA’s recommendation, the proposed abandonment, if implemented as conditioned, will not significantly affect either the quality of the human environment or the conservation of energy resources.

 

It is ordered:

 

            1.  This proceeding is reopened.

 

            2.  Upon reconsideration, the notice served and published in the Federal Register on July 6, 2012, exempting the abandonment of the line described above is subject to the condition that applicants shall consult with NGS at least 90 days prior to beginning salvage activates that will disturb or destroy the geodetic station marker.

 

3.  This decision is effective on its service date.

 

            By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell, Director, Office of Proceedings.