SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD DECISION DOCUMENT
    Decision Information

Docket Number:  
AB_55_675_X

Case Title:  
CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC.-ABANDONMENT EXEMPTION-IN WARE COUNTY, GA.

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 SEPTEMBER 18, 2011.

    Decision Attachments

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    Full Text of Decision

39436

41484                      SERVICE DATE – LATE RELEASE MARCH 17, 2011

DO

 

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

 

DECISION

 

Docket No. AB 55 (Sub-No. 675X)

 

CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC.–ABANDONMENT EXEMPTION–IN

WARE COUNTY, GA.

 

Decided:  March 16, 2011

 

            On February 1, 2008, a decision and notice of interim trail use or abandonment (NITU) was served authorizing a 180-day period, until July 31, 2008, for the City of Waycross, Ga. (Waycross), to negotiate an interim trail use/rail banking agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT) for a 1.08‑mile rail line on CSXT’s Southern Region, Jacksonville Division, Fitzgerald Subdivision, between mileposts AP 588.84 and AP 587.76 in Waycross, Ware County, Ga.[1]  The negotiating period under the NITU was subsequently extended, with the latest extension scheduled to expire on March 22, 2011.

 

            By letter filed on March 4, 2011, Waycross requests another 180-day extension of the NITU negotiating period.  Waycross states that the parties continue to negotiate for interim trail use/rail banking.  In a response filed on March 8, 2011, CSXT states that it concurs with the extension request, has not consummated the abandonment, has been unable to finalize negotiations with Waycross, and desires to continue to negotiate for interim trail use/rail banking with Waycross.

 

            Where, as here, the carrier is willing to continue trail use negotiations, the negotiating period may be extended.[2]  An extension of the NITU negotiating period will promote the establishment of trail use and rail banking consistent with the National Trails System Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1247(d).  Accordingly, the NITU negotiating period will be extended for an additional 180 days from March 22, 2011, to September 18, 2011.

 

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

 

            It is ordered:

 

            1.  The request to extend the NITU negotiating period is granted.

                                                                                                               

            2.  The negotiating period under the NITU is extended to September 18, 2011.

 

3.  This decision is effective on its date of service.

 

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


[1]  The February 1 decision authorized the exemption subject to a self-executing environmental condition requiring CSXT to consult with the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) and notify NGS at least 90 days prior to beginning salvage activities that will disturb or destroy any geodetic station markers.

 

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