SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD DECISION DOCUMENT
    Decision Information

Docket Number:  
AB_55_471_X

Case Title:  
CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC.—ABANDONMENT EXEMPTION—IN LUCAS COUNTY, OHIO

Decision Type:  
Decision

Deciding Body:  
Director Of Proceedings

    Decision Summary

Decision Notes:  
DECISION GRANTED A REQUEST TO EXTEND THE NOTICE OF INTERIM TRAIL USE NEGOTIATING PERIOD UNTIL DECEMBER 27, 2011.

    Decision Attachments

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    Full Text of Decision

40081

41708                                       SERVICE DATE – JUNE 27, 2011

DO

 

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

 

DECISION

 

Docket No. AB 55 (Sub-No. 471X)

 

CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC.—ABANDONMENT EXEMPTION—IN LUCAS COUNTY, OHIO

 

Decided:  June 24, 2011

 

            CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), filed a notice of exemption under 49 C.F.R. pt. 1152 Subpart F—Exempt Abandonments to abandon approximately 1.58 miles of railroad between milepost CO-12.73 and milepost CO-14.31 near Gould, in Lucas County, Ohio.  Notice of the exemption was served and published in the Federal Register on August 11, 1993 (58 Fed. Reg. 42,746-47).[1]  By decision and notice of interim trail use or abandonment (NITU) served on
July 20, 2010 (July 2010 decision), the proceeding was reopened and a 180-day period was authorized for Metroparks of the Toledo Area (Metroparks) to negotiate an interim trail use/rail banking agreement with CSXT for the right-of-way involved in this proceeding, pursuant to the National Trails System Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1247(d) (Trails Act).[2]  By decision served on
February 15, 2011, the NITU negotiating deadline was extended to June 30, 2011.

 

On June 10, 2011, Metroparks submitted a request to extend the NITU negotiating period until December 27, 2011.  Metroparks states that it has reached an agreement in principal with CSXT but that additional time is needed to finalize interim trail use negotiations.  In a response filed on June 13, 2011, CSXT states that it is willing to continue trail use negotiations with Metroparks until December 27, 2011.[3]

 

Where, as here, the carrier is willing to continue trail use negotiations, the negotiating period may be extended.[4]  An extension of the NITU negotiating period will promote the establishment of trail use and rail banking consistent with the Trails Act.  Accordingly, the NITU negotiating period will be extended for an additional 180 days, to December 27, 2011.  

 

This decision will not significantly affect either the quality of the human environment or the conservation of energy resources.

 

It is ordered:

 

1.  Metroparks’ request to extend the NITU negotiating period is granted.

 

2.  The negotiating period under the NITU is extended until December 27, 2011.

 

            3.  This decision and notice is effective on its service date.

 

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


[1]  The exemption became effective on September 10, 1993.

[2]  The July 2010 decision also denied Metroparks’ request for a public use condition.  A historic preservation condition, imposed on September 10, 1993, remains in effect.

[3]  CSXT notes that, under 49 C.F.R. § 1152.29(e)(2), the requested extension of the NITU negotiating period creates a regulatory barrier to consummation of the abandonment.  For that reason, if the NITU negotiating period expires without the parties having reached an agreement and the historic preservation condition is removed, CSXT’s notice of consummation will be due not later than 60 days thereafter, or 60 days after the removal of the historic preservation condition if that condition remains in effect.  See 49 C.F.R. § 1152.29(e)(2).

[4]  See Rail Abans.—Use of Rights-of-Way as Trails—Supplemental Trails Act Procedures, 4 I.C.C.2d 152, 157-58 (1987).