There is some news regarding BNSF’s recent filing to abandon 14.5 miles of rail line between Dunfermline and Farmington. Not the news I’m waiting for, but it is news.
The federal Surface Transportation Board released a decision this morning saying that, “the quality of the human environment would not be affected significantly as a result of the abandonment or any post-abandonment activities, including salvage and disposition of the right-of-way.” So an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not necessary for BNSF’s abandonment proceedings.
The Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) recommended one condition for abandonment:
BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) shall retain its interest in and take no steps to alter the historic integrity of all historic properties including sites, buildings, structures, and objects within the project right-of-way (the Area of Potential Effect) that are eligible for listing or listed in the National Register of Historic Places until the Section 106 process of the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470f, has been completed. BNSF shall report back to the Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) regarding any consultations with the State Historic Preservation Office and the public. BNSF may not file its consummation notice or initiate any salvage activities related to abandonment (including removal of tracks and ties) until the Section 106 process has been completed and the Board has removed this condition.
It also noted that:
Alternatives to the proposed abandonment would include denial (and therefore no change in operations), discontinuance of service without abandonment, and continued operation by another operator. In any of these cases, the existing quality of the human environment and energy consumption should not be affected.
Let’s hope “continued operation by another operator” is how this process ends up.
- David P. Jordan
6 responses so far ↓
1 R. Howard // Jan 29, 2013 at 5:30 pm
Hi Dave, There is not much potential for a rail operator on the BNSF Dunfermline line. There will be no operator taking over. Sorry about that. R. Howard aka Duck Creek & Western
2 David P. Jordan // Jan 29, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Hi Dick,
Good to hear from you. BNSF’s statements tell me they’ve not been in talks with anyone but the Keokuk Junction Railway could still file an Offer of Financial Assistance by February 4. I’m getting to think they will not.
3 Jan // Jan 30, 2013 at 9:04 pm
IM beginning to wonder myself. If Keokuk was really intrested they would of jumped at it the first chance since bnsf announced this, atleast I would think so. Not sure how long it takes to file.
I was hoping Hitchcock would still be intrested & gather support from the two other intrested parties but it is what it is. Theres still a few weeks so wait and see.
4 David P. Jordan // Jan 30, 2013 at 9:37 pm
Actually, the KJRY has until Monday to file an OFA. I’m having my doubts too since all a shortline has to do is file a Notice of Intent to File an Offer of Financial Assistance, so that the STB can suspend the effective date of BNSF’s abandonment.
5 Richard Howard // Feb 2, 2013 at 11:42 am
Hi Dave, Does the BNSF abandonment filing on the Dunfermline line show the net salvage value for the 14 miles? R. Howard, Duck Creek & Western
6 David P. Jordan // Feb 2, 2013 at 4:47 pm
Hi Dick,
I didn’t see any salvage value in BNSF’s filing. Maybe Hitchcock will be handling that?
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