28408.hrg.doc

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF CAMAS PRAIRIE RAILNET’S APPLICATION TO ABANDON
THE SPALDING-GRANGEVILLE BRANCH IN LEWIS, IDAHO, AND NEZ PERCE COUNTIES. )
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) CASE NO. CPR-R-00-1

NOTICE OF TECHNICAL HEARING

ORDER NO. 28408

On June 5, 2000, the Commission issued a Notice of Abandonment Application and Notice of Hearing in the above-referenced case. The Notice of Hearing followed the May 26, 2000 filing by Camas Prairie RailNet of an Abandonment Application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to abandon the Spalding-Grangeville rail line. This rail line extends 66.8 miles from Spalding in Nez Perce County to Grangeville in Idaho County.
In its prior Notice, the Commission scheduled a public hearing to commence at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June 19, 2000. The purpose of the Commission’s hearing is to obtain public testimony regarding whether abandonment of the Grangeville line would be adverse to Idaho’s public interests as set out in Idaho Code § 62-424. The Commission’s prior Notice also requires persons desiring to intervene in the Commission’s proceeding to file a Petition to Intervene on or before June 9, 2000.
The Commission’s June 5 Notice did not establish a specific time period for the receipt for technical evidence from the parties (so far the Railroad and the Commission Staff). To accommodate parties who may desire to give technical evidence in this matter and allow sufficient time to efficiently receive public testimony from interested persons, the Commission has determined that it should schedule a separate hearing to receive any technical evidence to be offered by the parties.

NOTICE OF TECHNICAL HEARING
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Commission will convene a technical hearing in this matter at 3:30 P.M. ON MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2000, AT HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL, 112 BOULEVARD STREET, CRAIGMONT, IDAHO. The purpose of this hearing is to receive technical testimony from the parties. Providing a separate opportunity for parties to present technical evidence will allow the Commission to more efficiently receive public testimony later in the day.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission finds that there is good cause to separate the receipt of technical evidence from the receipt of testimony from the public.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all hearings will be conducted pursuant to the Rules of Procedure adopted by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq.
YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Commission has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to Idaho Code ( 62-424.
O R D E R
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Commission shall convene a separate technical hearing in this matter as set out in the body of this Order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Commission Secretary serve this Order upon the parties by facsimile.
DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this
day of June 2000.

DENNIS S. HANSEN, PRESIDENT

MARSHA H. SMITH, COMMISSIONER

PAUL KJELLANDER, COMMISSIONER

ATTEST:

Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary

vld/O:CPR-R-00-01_dh2

NOTICE OF TECHNICAL HEARING
ORDER NO. 28408 2