SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD DECISION DOCUMENT
    Decision Information

Docket Number:  
AB_32_105_X

Case Title:  
BOSTON AND MAINE CORPORATION-ABANDONMENT EXEMPTION-IN WORCESTER COUNTY, MASS.

Decision Type:  
Decision

Deciding Body:  
Director Of Proceedings

    Decision Summary

Decision Notes:  
DECISION REOPENED THIS PROCEEDING AND DETERMINED THAT THE NOTICE SERVED AND PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER ON JULY 6, 2012, IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS THAT BOSTON AND MAIN CORPORATION SHALL FOLLOW.

    Decision Attachments

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    Full Text of Decision

37195

42526                                     SERVICE DATE – AUGUST 6, 2012

DO

 

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

 

DECISION

 

Docket No. AB 32 (Sub-No. 105X)

 

BOSTON AND MAINE CORPORATION—ABANDONMENT

EXEMPTION—IN WORCESTER COUNTY, MASS.

 

Decided:  August 6, 2012

 

            Boston and Maine Corporation (B&M) filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 C.F.R. pt. 1152 subpart F—Exempt Abandonments to abandon a 0.14 mile freight rail operating easement for a line of railroad known as the Heywood Branch, between mileposts 27.29 and 27.43, in Gardner, Worcester County, 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 indicates that the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) has identified one geodetic station marker in the area of the proposed abandonment.  Accordingly, OEA recommends that a condition be imposed on any decision granting abandonment authority requiring B&M to consult with NGS and notify NGS at least 90 days prior to beginning salvage activities that could disturb or destroy any geodetic station markers.

 

            No comments were received by the July 27, 2012 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 B&M shall consult with NGS and notify NGS at least 90 days prior to beginning salvage activities that could disturb or destroy any geodetic station markers.

 

3.  This decision is effective on its service date.

 

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