California High-Speed Rail Authority-Construction Exemption-in Merced, Madera and Fresno Counties, Cal

---
identifier: "/us/fr/2013-14560"
source: "fr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "California High-Speed Rail Authority-Construction Exemption-in Merced, Madera and Fresno Counties, Cal"
title_number: 0
title_name: "Federal Register"
section_number: "2013-14560"
section_name: "California High-Speed Rail Authority-Construction Exemption-in Merced, Madera and Fresno Counties, Cal"
positive_law: false
currency: "2013-06-19"
last_updated: "2013-06-19"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
agency: "Transportation Department"
document_number: "2013-14560"
document_type: "notice"
publication_date: "2013-06-19"
agencies:
  - "Transportation Department"
  - "Surface Transportation Board"
fr_citation: "78 FR 36823"
fr_volume: 78
docket_ids:
  - "Docket No. FD 35724"
effective_date: "2013-06-28"
fr_action: "Notice of construction exemption."
---


#  California High-Speed Rail Authority—Construction Exemption—in Merced, Madera and Fresno Counties, Cal

**AGENCY:**

Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

**ACTION:**

Notice of construction exemption.

**SUMMARY:**

The Board is granting an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10901 for the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) to construct an approximately 65-mile high-speed passenger rail line between Merced and Fresno, California (the Project). The Project would be the first section of the statewide California High-Speed Train System. This exemption is subject to environmental mitigation conditions and the condition that the Authority build the route designated as environmentally preferable.

**DATES:**

The exemption will be effective on June 28, 2013; petitions to reopen must be filed by July 3, 2013.

**ADDRESSES:**

An original and ten copies of all pleadings, referring to Docket No. FD 35724, must be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, one copy of each filing in this proceeding must be served on the Authority's representative: Linda J. Morgan, Nossaman LLP, 1666 K Street NW., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20006.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**

Scott M. Zimmerman, (202) 245-0386. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at: 1-800-877-8339].

Copies of written filings will be available for viewing and self-copying at the Board's Public Docket Room, Room 131, and will be posted to the Board's Web site.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**

Additional information is contained in the Board's decision. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at *www.stb.dot.gov.*

By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Begeman, and Commissioner Mulvey. Vice Chairman Begeman concurred in part and dissented in part with a separate expression. Commissioner Mulvey concurred with a separate expression.

Decided: June 13, 2013.

Jeffrey Herzig,

Clearance Clerk.