*Pages 1--4 from Microsoft Word - 6663.doc* 1 Federal Communications Commission DA 01- 251 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D. C. 20554 ) In the Matter of ) ) Amendment of Section 73.202( b), ) MM Docket No. 01- 27 Table of Allotments, ) RM- 10056 FM Broadcast Stations. ) (Wisner, Louisiana) NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING Adopted: January 24, 2001 Released: February 2, 2001 Comment Date: March 26, 2001 Reply Date: April 10, 2001 By the Chief, Allocations Branch 1. The Commission has before it for consideration a Petition for Rule Making filed on behalf of Wisner Broadcasting Company (“ WBC”), requesting the allotment of Channel 300C3 at Wisner, Louisiana, as the community’s first local service. WBC has stated that it would file an application for an FM allotment at Wisner if Channel 300C3 is allotted to the community. 2. We believe the proposal warrants consideration because the proposed allotment would provide a first local service to the community of Wisner, Louisiana. In support of its proposal, WBC states that Wisner is deserving of an FM station and clearly meets the Commission’s requirements for community status. According to WCB, the community of Wisner, located in Franklin Parish, has a 1990 U. S. Census population of 1,148 people. WCB states that the allotment will provide an essential outlet for local expression, serving the public interest. A staff engineering analysis indicates that Channel 300C3 can be allotted to Wisner, Louisiana, consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of t he Commission’s Rules provided there is a sit e rest rict ion 20. 4 kilomet ers (12. 7 miles) nort heast of t he communit y. 1 The sit e rest rict ion will prevent a conflict wit h St at ion KVMA, Channel 300C1, Magnolia, Arkansas, and Station KRKA, Channel 300C1, Erath, Louisiana. 3. In view of the fact that the proposed allotment could provide a first local service to Wisner, the 1 The coordinates for Channel 300C3 at Wisner are 32- 05- 28 and 91- 28- 57. 1 2 Federal Communications Commission DA 01- 251 Commission believes it would serve t he public int erest to solicit comment s on the proposal to allot Channel 300C3 to Wisner, Louisiana. Therefore, we will seek comment s on t he proposed amendment to the FM Table of Allotments, Section 73.202( b) of the Commission's Rules, with respect to Wisner, Louisiana: Channel No. Community Present Proposed Wisner, Louisiana -------- 300C3 4. The Commission's authority to institute rule making proceedings, showings required, cut- off procedures, and filing requirement s are cont ained in the at t ached Appendix and are incorporat ed by reference herein. In particular, we note that a showing of continuing interest is required by paragraph 2 of the Appendix before a channel will be allotted. 5. Interested parties may file comments on or before March 26, 2001, and reply comments on or before April 10, 2001, and are advised to read the Appendix for the proper procedures. Comments should be filed with the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D. C., 20554. Additionally, a copy of such comments should be served on the petitioner's counsel, as follows: Ann Bavender Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, P. L. C. 1300 N. 17 th Street, 11 th Floor Arlington, Virginia 22209 6. The Commission has det ermined that the relevant provisions of t he Regulat ory Flexibilit y Act of 1980 do not apply to rule making proceedings to amend the FM Table of Allotments, Section 73.202( b) of the Commission's Rules. See Certification that Sections 603 and 604 of the Regulatory Flexibilit y Act Do Not Apply to Rule Making to Amend Sect ions 73. 202( b), 73.504 and 73.606( b) of the Commission's Rules, 46 FR 11549, February 9, 1981. 7. For further information concerning this proceeding contact Kathleen Scheuerle, Mass Media Bureau, (202) 418- 2180. For purposes of this restricted notice and comment rule making proceeding, members of the public are advised that no ex parte presentations are permitted from the time the Commission adopts a Notice of Proposed Rule Making until the proceeding has been decided and such decision is no longer subject to reconsideration by the commission or review by any court. An ex parte presentation is not prohibited if specifically requested by the Commission or staff for the clarification or adduction of evidence or resolution of issues in the proceeding. However, any new written information elicited from such a request or a summary of any new oral information shall be served by the person making the presentation upon other parties to the proceeding unless the Commission specifically waives this service requirement . Any comment which has not been served on the petitioner constitutes an ex parte presentation and shall not be 2 3 Federal Communications Commission DA 01- 251 considered in the proceeding. Any reply comment which has not been served on the person( s) who filed the comment, to which the reply is directed, constitutes an ex parte presentation and shall not be considered in this proceeding. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION John A. Karousos Chief, Allocations Branch Policy and Rules Division Mass Media Bureau 3 4 Federal Communications Commission DA 01- 251 APPENDIX 1. Pursuant to authority found in Sections 4( i), 5( c)( 1), 303( g) and (r) and 307( b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and Sections 0.61, 0.204.( b) and 0.283 of the Commission's Rules, IT IS PROPOSED TO AMEND the FM Table of Allotments, Section 73.202( b) of the Commission's Rules and Regulations, as set forth in the Notice of Proposed Rule Making to which this Appendix is attached. 2. Showings Required. Comments are invited on the proposal( s) discussed in the Notice of Proposed Rule Making to which this Appendix is attached. Proponent( s) will be expected to answer whatever questions are presented in initial comments. The proponent of a proposed allotment is also expected to file comments even if it only resubmits or incorporates by reference its former pleadings. It should also restate its present intention to apply for the channel if it is allotted and, if authorized, to build a station promptly. Failure to file may lead to denial of the request. 3. Cut- off Procedures. The following procedures will govern the consideration of filings in this proceeding. (a) Counterproposals advanced in this proceeding itself will be considered if advanced in initial comments, so that parties may comment on them in reply comments. They will not be considered if advanced in reply comments. (See Section 1.420( d) of the Commission's Rules). (b) With respect to petitions for rule making which conflict with the proposal( s) in this Notice, they will be considered as comments in the proceeding, and Public Notice to this effect will be given as long as they are filed before the date for filing initial comments herein. If they are filed later than that, they will not be considered in connection with the decision in this docket. (c) The filing of a counterproposal may lead the Commission to allot a different channel than was requested for any of the communities involved. 4. Comments and Reply Comments; Service. Pursuant to applicable procedures set out in Sections 1.415 and 1.420 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations, interested parties may file comments and reply comments on or before the dates set forth in the Notice of Proposed Rule Making to which this Appendix is attached. All submissions by parties to this proceeding or by persons acting on behalf of such parties, must be made in written comments reply comments, or other appropriate pleadings. Comments shall be served on the petitioner by the person filing the comments. Reply comments shall be served on the person( s) who filed comments to which the reply is directed. such comments and reply comments shall be accompanied by a certificate of service. (See Section 1.420( a), (b) and (c) of the Commission's Rules.) Comments should be filed with the Secretary, Federal communications Commission, Washington, D, C. 20554. 5. Number of Copies. In accordance with the provisions of Section 1.420 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations, an original and four copies of all comments, reply comments, pleadings, briefs, or other documents shall be furnished the Commission. 6. Public Inspection of Filings. All filings made in this proceeding will be available for examination by interested parties during regular business hours in the Commission's Public Reference Room at its headquarters, 445 Twelfth Street, SW, Washington, D. C 20554. 4