camasprairie_dh.doc

February 3, 2000

«FirstName» «LastName», «JobTitle»
«Company»
«Address1»
«City», «State» «PostalCode»

RE: Camas Prairie RailNet Abandonment of the Grangeville-Spalding Line

Dear Director «LastName»:

The Camas Prairie RailNet has informally notified the Commission that it soon intends to file an Application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to abandon the Grangeville-Spalding rail line. This rail line is approximately 66 miles long and serves the communities of Grangeville, Fenn, Cottonwood, Ferdinand, Craigmont, Reubens, Culdesac, and Lapwai. The STB is the entity within the U.S. Department of Transportation with the authority to approve or deny rail line abandonments.

Although the authority to grant or deny rail abandonments is governed by federal law, Idaho Code § 62-424 requires that the Public Utilities Commission schedule a public hearing on the proposed abandonment. If the Commission finds that abandonment of the rail line would adversely effect the area being served and that the line has a potential for profitability, then the Commission represents the state in the STB proceeding.

We anticipate that your agency will be contacted by Camas Prairie RailNet in the next few weeks to comment on the impact of abandonment. The Governor’s Executive Order No. 98-08 (attached) provides that all state agencies notify the PUC when contacted by railroads of potential abandonments. When your agency is contacted about the abandonment of the Grangeville-Spalding line, please notify the Commission’s Deputy Attorney General, Don Howell, at 334-0312. All responses to railroad inquiries should be coordinated with him.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter. If you or your Staff have any questions regarding the abandonment process, please contact Mr. Howell.

Very truly yours,

Ron Law
Executive Director

cc: Commissioners
Jim Yost
Idaho Wheat, Pea and Lentil, and Barley Commissions

February 3, 2000
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