Surface Transportation Board
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Surface Transportation Board [Docket No. FD 36488] On April 13, 2021, DesertXpress Enterprises, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company, d/b/a Brightline West (DesertXpress), [ 1 ] filed a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for an exemption from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10901 to construct and operate an approximately 50-mile high-speed passenger rail line between the Victor Valley, in Southern California, and Rancho Cucamonga, Cal. (the RC Line). DesertXpress plans to operate as a common carrier providing passenger rail service on the rail line to be constructed. DesertXpress does not plan to provide freight rail service. No comments opposing the transportation merits of DesertXpress' petition were filed. On July 12, 2021, the Board instituted a proceeding under 49 U.S.C. 10502 . [ 2 ] As discussed below, the Board, through the Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA), participated in the environmental and historic review of the RC Line as a cooperating agency ( printed page 81520) under the lead of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). This thorough environmental review took a “hard look” at environmental impacts, selected a preferred alternative, and recommended environmental mitigation conditions to avoid or minimize the selected alternative's potential environmental impacts. After considering the entire record on both the transportation and the environmental issues, the Board will grant DesertXpress' petition for exemption, subject to enviro…
Citation: 88 FR 81519
