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 36848] On March 27, 2025, Michael W. Williams (Williams), a noncarrier individual, filed a petition for exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 11323 -24 for after-the-fact authority to control three Class III rail carriers: Ozark Valley Railroad, Inc. (OVR); McCloud Railway Company (MCR); and Washington & Idaho Railway, Inc. (WIR). As discussed below, the Board will grant the petition for exemption. Background On November 13, 2020, S&S Shortline Leasing, LLC (S&S), filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1150.41 in Docket No. FD 36461 to acquire approximately 127 miles of rail line in Nevada. Williams filed on the same day a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(2) in Docket No. FD 36460 to continue in control of S&S upon S&S becoming a rail carrier. In late December 2020, he also filed a verified notice of exemption pursuant to 49 CFR 1180.2(d)(2) in Docket No. FD 36474 for after-the-fact authority to acquire control of MCR. The Board postponed the effectiveness of those exemptions, sought clarification about various issues, Williams—Control Exemption—S&S Shortline Leasing, LLC, FD 36460 et al., slip op. at 3-4 (STB served Dec. 10, 2020); Williams—Control Exemption—S&S Shortline Leasing, LLC, FD 36460 et al., slip op. at 4 (STB served Jan. 26, 2021), and ultimately rejected the verified notices, Williams—Control Exemption&mda…
Citation: 91 FR 14618
