41942                                   SERVICE DATE – OCTOBER 25, 2011

DO

 

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

 

DECISION

 

Docket No. AB 1087X

 

GRENADA RAILWAY LLC—ABANDONMENT EXEMPTION—IN GRENADA, MONTGOMERY, CARROLL, HOLMES, YAZOO AND MADISON COUNTIES, MISS.

 

Decided:  October 24, 2011

 

On September 20, 2011, Grenada Railway LLC (GRYR) filed a petition under 49 U.S.C. § 10502 for exemption from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. § 10903 to abandon the southern segment of its line of railroad.  The portion of the line that GRYR seeks to abandon is between milepost 622.5 near Grenada, Miss., and milepost 703.8 near Canton, Miss., a distance of 81.3 miles.[1]  Notice of the petition was served and published in the Federal Register on October 7, 2011 (76 Fed. Reg. 62,497).  As indicated in that notice, replies to the petition for exemption are due on or before October 27, 2011.

 

On September 29, 2011, the Mississippi Transportation Commission (MTC) requested the Board to hold an oral public hearing in Grenada, Miss., to allow the public and interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the merits of the requested exemption.  A number of parties have submitted letters supporting MTC’s request for an oral public hearing.[2]  GRYR opposes MTC’s request.

 

The Board will grant MTC’s request by holding a public meeting at a time and place to be established in a subsequent Board decision.  The meeting will be conducted by Board staff and will be held in Mississippi to allow interested persons to appear and speak on the proposed abandonment.

 

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

 

It is ordered:

 

1.  A public meeting conducted by Board staff will be held at a time and place to be established in a subsequent Board decision.

 

2.  This decision is effective on the date of service.

 

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