*Pages 1--4 from Microsoft Word - 29394* Federal Communications Commission DA 03- 2261 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. (Tallapoosa, Georgia) ) ) ) ) ) ) MB Docket No. 03- 161 RM- 10708 NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING Adopted: July 9, 2003 Released: July 14, 2003 Comments Date: September 5, 2003 Reply Comments Date: September 22, 2003 By the Assistant Chief, Audio Division: 1. The Audio Division has before it a petition for rule making filed by SSR Communications, Inc. (“ SSR”), proposing the allotment of Channel 255A at Tallapoosa, Georgia, as a first local FM service. 1 SSR stated its intention to file an application for Channel 255A at Tallapoosa, Georgia, if the channel is allotted to the community. 2. We believe the proposal warrants consideration because the allotment could provide a first local FM broadcast service for the community of Tallapoosa. In support of its proposal, SSR states that Tallapoosa is an incorporated community with a population of 2,789 people according to the 2000 U. S. Census. Tallapoosa has its own government, police and fire departments, schools, U. S. Post office and its own zip code (30176) and numerous churches and businesses to serve the community. A staff engineering analysis indicates that Channel 255A can be allotted to Tallapoosa, Georgia, consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of the Commission’s Rules with a site restriction 10.3 kilometers (6.4 miles) south of the community at coordinates 33- 39- 20 NL and 85- 15- 27 WL. At this site Channel 255A is currently short spaced to Channel 253C, Station WSB, Atlanta, Georgia. However, Station WSB has consented to the reclassification of its license from Class C to Class C0 in MB Docket No. 03- 77. 2 1 On May 28, 2002, SSR submitted a petition for rule making requesting the allotment of Channel 223A at Tallapoosa, Georgia. SSR also requested that an Order to Show Cause be directed to the licensee of Station WDEF, Chattanooga, Tennessee, to downgrade the station from Channel 222C to Class C0 Status to accommodate the allotment at Tallapoosa. An Order to Show Cause, DA No. 03- 429 was released on February 18, 2003, directing Jackson Telecasters, Inc., licensee of Station WDEF to show cause why its authorization should not be modified to specify operation on Channel 222C0 in lieu of Channel 222C at Chattanooga. SSR has withdrawn its proposal for the allotment of Channel 223A at Tallapoosa, Tennessee, RM- 10651, in accordance with Section 1.420( j) of the Commission’s Rules which has been terminated in a separate Order. 2 See 18 FCC Rcd 4962 (M. B. 2003). MB Docket No. 03- 77 proposed changes at Ashland, Coaling, Cordova, Decatur, Dora, Hackleburg, Hobson City, Holly Pond, Midfield, Sylacauga, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Atlanta, Georgia, in response to a petition filed jointly by Cox Radio, Inc. and its wholly- owned subsidiary CXR Holdings, Inc. 1 Federal Communications Commission DA 03- 2261 2 3. In view of the fact that the proposed allotment could provide a first local FM broadcast service to Tallapoosa, Georgia, the Commission believes it would serve the public interest to solicit comments on the proposal to allot Channel 255A to Tallapoosa. Therefore, we will seek comments on the proposed amendment to the FM Table of Allotments, Section 73.202( b) of the Commission’s Rules, with respect to Tallapoosa, Georgia: Channel No. Community Present Proposed Tallapoosa, Georgia ---- 255A 4. The Commission’s authority to institute rule making proceedings, showings required, cut- 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. 5. Interested parties may file comments on or before September 5, 2003, and reply comments on or before September 22, 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 SRS’s counsel, as follows: Cary S. Tepper Booth, Freret, Imlay & Tepper, P. C. 7900 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 304 Bethesda, Maryland 20814- 3628 6. 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. 7. 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. 3 8. For further information concerning this proceeding, contact Kathleen Scheuerle, (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 3 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 03- 2261 3 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 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 03- 2261 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