O'Connell_dh.doc

March 10, 2000

VIA FACSIMILIE
[phone]

Shawn O’Connell
Columbia Grain International, Inc.
313 D Street, Suite 200
Lewiston, ID 83501

Re: Projected Car Shipments for the Camas Prairie Grangeville Line

Dear Shawn,

After our telephone conversation yesterday, I received in the mail your car survey form showing intraline traffic for 1998 (1,017 cars) and 1999 (844 cars). This data is very helpful in understanding your shipping needs on the Camas Prairie as we move closer to the date that the Railroad will file its abandonment Application.

Another critical piece of information that you could provide is the projected number of cars that you estimate shipping in the “forecast year” (April 1, 2000 through March 30, 2001). The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) evaluates the profit or loss of the Railroad by comparing the revenues from car traffic in the forecast year with Camas Prairie’s expenses in maintaining and operating the Grangeville line. If you could fill out the attached sheet with your projected car shipments, this would greatly help us prepare for the case. Of course, the more cars shipped in the “forecast year” the greater the projected revenues of Camas Prairie.

I was also wondering what the reasons were for the reduction in car traffic from 1998 to 1999. I have been told that wheat production on the Camas Prairie was significantly reduced in 1999 from the prior year due to spring weather conditions. More specifically, which year (if either) is more representative of your grain shipments on the Grangeville line?

I appreciate your assistance. I hope to see you or your representative at the March 15, 2000 meeting of shippers and local officials at the Craigmont City Hall (109 E. Main) at 6:30 p.m. If I can answer any questions, please contact me at [phone]

Sincerely yours,

Donald L. Howell, II
Deputy Attorney General

Enclosure

cc: Ron Law