*Pages 1--4 from Microsoft Word - 41556* Federal Communications Commission DA 04- 2671 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. (Union Gap, Washington) ) ) ) ) ) ) MB Docket No. 04- 327 RM- 11063 NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING Adopted: August 25, 2004 Released: August 27, 2004 Comments Date: October 18, 2004 Reply comments Date: November 2, 2004 By the Assistant Chief, Audio Division: 1. The Audio Division has before it a petition for rule making filed by Linda A. Davidson (“ Davidson”), proposing the allotment of Channel 285A at Union Gap, Washington. Davidson states that she, “or an entity with which she is affiliated” intends to apply for the proposed allotment if it is assigned. We request that Davidson state an unequivocal intention to apply for the proposed allotment. 2. We believe the proposal warrants consideration because the proposed allotment could provide a first local service to the community of Union Gap. Davidson states that Union Gap is an incorporated city located in Yakima County with a 2000 U. S. Census population of 5,621 people. A staff engineering analysis indicates that Channel 285A can be allotted to Union Gap consistent with the minimum distance separation requirements of the Commission’s Rules with a site restriction 3.4 kilometers (2.1 miles) southeast of the community at coordinates 46- 31- 48 NL and 120- 27- 18 WL. The proposed site will require concurrence by Canada because it is located within 320 kilometers (199 miles) of the Canadian border. 3. In view of the fact that the proposed allotment could provide a first local service to Union Gap, the Commission believes it would serve the public interest to solicit comments on the proposal to allot Channel 285A to Union Gap. Therefore, we will seek comment on the proposed amendment to the FM Table of Allotments, Section 73.202( b), 1 with respect to Union Gap, Washington: Channel No. Community Present Proposed Union Gap, Washington ---- 285A 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. 1 47 C. F. R. § 73.202( b). 1 Federal Communications Commission DA 04- 2671 2 5. Pursuant to Sections 1.415 and 1.419, 2 interested parties may file comments on or before October 18, 2004, and reply comments on or before November 2, 2004, 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 Davidson, as follows: Linda A. Davidson 2134 Oak Street, Unit C Santa Monica, CA 90405 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, Natek, 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 their 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). 3 The document does not contain [new or modified] information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104- 13. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any new or modified “information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees,” pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107- 198, see Section 3506( c)( 4). 4 8. For further information concerning this proceeding, contact Helen McLean, (202) 418- 2738. 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 the 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 47 C. F. R. §§ 1.415 and 1. 419. 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). 4 44 U. S. C. § 3506( c)( 4). 2 Federal Communications Commission DA 04- 2671 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 04- 2671 4 APPENDIX 1. Pursuant to authority found in 47 U. S. C. Sections 4( i), 5( c)( 1), 303( g) and (r), and 307( b), and 47 C. F. R. Sections 0.61, 0.204( b) and 0.283, IT IS PROPOSED TO AMEND the FM Table of Allotments, 47 C. F. R. Section 73.202( b), 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 47 C. F. R. Section 1.420( d).) (b) Petitions for rule making which conflict with the proposals in this Notice 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 47 C. F. R. Sections 1.415 and 1.420, 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 47 C. F. R. Section 1.420( a), (b) and (c).) Comments should be filed with the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D. C. 20554. 5. Number of Copies. In accordance with the provisions of 47 C. F. R. Section 1.420, 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