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The Surface Transportation Board (STB) will reconsider the Tongue River Railroad Co. Inc.’s (TRRC) proposal to build and operate a new rail line in Montana now that various circumstances surrounding the project have changed, the board announced yesterday.

In December 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a decision that, in part, affirmed TRRC cannot build any part of the railroad without further environmental review. Meanwhile, TRRC recently announced revised plans for the line’s location and a change in railroad ownership. TRRC officials also have said the need for the proposed line between Miles City and Ashland have changed.


Accordingly, STB is requiring that TRRC file a revised application that outlines the company’s new proposal and conduct a new environmental review of the plan. STB will dismiss the Tongue River proceedings concerning related lines that TRRC no longer plans to construct.