*Pages 1--4 from Microsoft Word - 23560.doc* Federal Communications Commission DA 02- 3361 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D. C. 20554 In the matter of Amendment of Section 73. 202( b) FM Table of Allotments, FM Broadcast Stations. (Sells, Arizona) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) MB Docket No. 02- 376 RM- 10617 NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING Adopted: December 4, 2002 Released: December 9, 2002 Comment Date: January 30, 2003 Reply Comment Date: February 14, 2003 By the Assistant Chief, Audio Division: 1. The Audio Division has before it a petition for rulemaking filed on behalf of Rural Pima Broadcasting, proposing the allotment of Channel 285A at Sells, Arizona, as the community’s first local aural transmission service. Petitioner states that if granted, it will file an application for the allotment and, if granted, will construct the facility as authorized. 2. In support of the allotment, petitioner states that Sells is a community for allotment purposes. It is a Census Designated Place with a population of 2,799 persons. It has schools, a police department, businesses, healthcare, and churches. We seek comment on the community status of Sells, Arizona. 3. We believe that the allotment of Channel 285A at Sells could serve the public interest because it would provide the community with its first local service. Channel 285A can be allotted at Sells at a site 9.3 kilometers (5. 8 miles) south of the community. 1 We note that this site will require special negotiation with Mexico because it is short- spaced to Station XHNI( FM) in Nogales, So, Mexico. This proposal has been forwarded to the government of Mexico for concurrence. 4. Accordingly, we seek comment on the proposed amendment of the FM Table of Allotments, Section 73.202( b) of the Commission’s Rules, for the communities listed below, to read as follows: Channel Community Present Proposed Sells, Arizona ---- 285A 5. The Commission’s authority to institute rule making proceedings, showings required, cut- 1 The coordinates for Channel 285A at Sells are 31- 49- 44 NL and 111- 53- 28 WL. 1 Federal Communications Commission DA 02- 3361 2 off procedures, and filing requirements are contained in the attached Appendix and are incorporated 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. 6. Pursuant to Sections 1.415 and 1. 419 of the Commission’s Rules, interested parties may file comments on or before January 30, 2003, and reply comments on or before February 14, 2003, and are advised to read the Appendix for the proper procedures. Comments should be filed with the Federal Communications Commission, Office of the Secretary, 445 Twelfth Street, SW, TW- A325, Washington, D. C. 20554. Additionally, a copy of such comments should be served on the petitioners’ counsel, as follows: Scott Cinnamon, Esq. Law Offices of Scott Cinnamon, PC 1090 Vermont Ave., NW Suite 800, #144 Washington, DC 20005 7. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first- class or overnight U. S. Postal Service mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U. S. Postal Service mail). The Commission’s contractor, Vistronix, Inc., will receive hand- delivered or messenger- delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, N. E., Suite 110, Washington, D. C. 20002. The filing hours at this location are 8: 00 a. m. to 7: 00 p. m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. Commercial overnight mail (other than U. S. Postal Service Express Mail or Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. U. S. Postal Service first- class mail, Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12 th Street, SW, Washington, D. C. 20554. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. 8. The Commission has determined that the relevant provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 do not apply to a rule making proceeding to amend the FM Table of Allotments, Section 73.202( b) of the Commission's Rules. 2 9. For further information concerning this proceeding, contact Victoria M. McCauley (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 the other parties to the proceeding unless the Commission specifically waives this service requirement. Any comment which has not been served on the petitioners constitutes an ex parte presentation and shall not be considered in the proceeding. Any reply comment which has not been 2 See Certification that Section 603 and 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act Do Not Apply to Rule Makings to Amend Sections 73. 202( b), 73.504 and 73. 606( b) of the Commission's Rules. 46 FR 11549 (February 9, 1981). 2 Federal Communications Commission DA 02- 3361 3 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 the proceeding. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION John A. Karousos Assistant Chief, Audio Division Media Bureau Attachment: Appendix 3 Federal Communications Commission DA 02- 3361 4 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 protection. 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 proposals 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. The person filing the comments shall serve comments on the petitioners. Reply comments shall be served on the person( s) who filed comments to which the reply is directed. A certificate of service shall accompany such comments and reply comments. (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 Reference Information Center, at its headquarters, 445 12th Street, S. W., Washington, D. C. 4