KerrMannReidTwight_dh.doc

September 20, 2000

Greg Servheen
Idaho Department of Fish & Game
1540 Warner Avenue
Lewiston, ID 83501-5699

Ron Kerr
Idaho Transportation Department
Statehouse
Boise ID 83720 Hudson Mann
Division of Environmental Quality
Statehouse
Boise, ID 83720

Dr. Ken Reid
State Historical Preservation Officer
Idaho Historical Society
210 Main Street
Boise, ID 83702
RE: STB Decision in the Camas Prairie Case

Gentlemen:

Attached for your information and review is the Surface Transportation Board’s decision that it issued last week in the Camas Prairie Abandonment case. The STB granted the Railroad’s Application to abandon the Grangeville rail line. Offers of financial assistance to purchase the line or subsidize operations for a one-year period are due no later than September 25, 2000. I anticipate that it is unlikely that the parties or other persons will submit an offer of financial assistance. The STB decision is effective on October 13, 2000.

The STB did grant ITD’s request for a public use condition. This means the Railroad is prohibited from disposing of the right-of-way (ROW) for a period of 180 days. Decision at p. 32. During this time ITD and the Railroad may negotiate for ITD’s possible acquisition of portions of the ROW. In addition, the Nez Perce Tribe asked and received an opportunity to negotiate for 180 days to acquire the ROW for rails-to-trails purposes. Id.

The STB conditioned abandonment upon the Railroad’s consultation with DEQ and the National Marine Fishery Service (NMFS). Id. at pp. 29-30, 33. Today I have asked the STB’s section of environmental analysis (SEA) for clarification whether the decision should be amended to specify that consultation on the Salvage Work Plan should be with the Department of Fish & Game. SEA’s Troy Brady said that the STB will issue a subsequent decision that indicates that the Railroad should consult with Fish & Game on the Work Plan.
The STB also conditioned abandonment on the Railroad retaining interest in and taking no steps to alter the historic integrity of the rail line until completion of the Section 106 process of the National Historical Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. § 470f). Id. at p. 29.

Finally, I wanted to thank you for your assistance in putting the State’s case together. I could not have done it without you. If you have any questions, please call me at [phone].

Sincerely yours,

Donald L. Howell, II
Deputy Attorney General

Enclosures

cc: Steve Bywater, ITD
Cal Groen, Lewiston F&G

Vld/L KerrMannReidTwight _dh
Greg Servheen
Ron Kerr
Hudson Mann
Dr. Ken Reid
September 20, 2000
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