Patano_dh.doc

January 14, 2000

Ms. Sandy Patano, State Director
Office of Senator Larry E. Craig
610 Hubbard Street, Ste 121
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

Re: Possible Abandonment of the Camas Prairie Line from Grangeville to Spaulding

Dear Sandy:

In our conversation last Wednesday, I mentioned a federal notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) docket dealing with pipeline safety and critical sole source aquifers. Enclosed for your information is the NPRM that I was referring to issued by the U.S Department of Transportation. As indicated in the notice, the Research and Special Programs Administration is taking written comments on a pilot program to examine pipeline safety criteria applicable to “unusually sensitive areas” (USAs). Areas to be considered for USA designation include critical sole source aquifers that are adjacent to pipelines or pipeline facilities. See p. 2. As stated in the NPRM, these proposed rules are not in effect. In addition, I am unsure whether the Burlington Northern-Sante Fe refueling depot would actually qualify as a “hazardous liquid pipeline facility.”

Turning to the other item that I mentioned, representatives from Camas Prairie RailNet have indicated their desire to abandon the 66-mile rail line between Grangeville and Spaulding this summer. Enclosed is a recent Lewiston Tribune article regarding the rail line in question. Several shippers have written to the Governor to express their concerns about the possible abandonment. I have included U S Timber Company’s letter to the Governor for your information.

As you know, state law requires that the Idaho Public Utilities Commission conduct a hearing to determine whether the abandonment is adverse to the public interest and to determine whether the line has a potential for profitability. If these questions are answered in the affirmative, we may ask for Senator Craig’s assistance in obtaining a Surface Transportation Board (STB) inquiry.

If you have any questions concerning the abandonment of the RailNet branch, please give the Commission’s Executive Director, Ron Law, a call at [phone]. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at [phone].

Sincerely yours,

Donald L. Howell, II
Deputy Attorney General

Enclosure

cc: Commissioners
Ron Law

Vld/L:Pataro_dh
Sandy Patano
January 14, 2000
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