Federal Communications Commission DA 18-146 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) Amendment of Section 73.202(b), ) MB Docket No. 18-43 Table of Allotments, ) RM-11797 FM Broadcast Stations ) (Connerville, Oklahoma) ) NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING Adopted: February 14, 2018 Released: February 14, 2018 Comment Date: April 9, 2018 Reply Comments Date: April 23, 2018 By the Assistant Chief, Audio Division, Media Bureau: 1. The Audio Division has before it a Petition for Rule Making filed by The Chickasaw Nation (Petitioner), and an associated FCC Form 301 application. 1 Petitioner proposes to amend the FM Table of Allotments, section 73.202(b) of the Commission’s rules, 2 by allotting FM Channel 247A at Connerville, Oklahoma, as a first local Tribal-owned service. Petitioner seeks a Tribal Priority for the proposed allotment. In this Notice of Proposed Rule Making, we seek comment on that proposal. 2. Background. In Rural Radio, 3 the Commission concluded that it would serve the public interest to establish a priority under section 307(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 4 in favor of Tribal Entities proposing the allotment of FM radio channels to serve Tribal lands. 5 The rationale for this determination was that “the establishment of an allocation priority for the provision of radio service to tribal lands by Indian tribal government-owned stations will advance our Section 307(b) goals and serve the public interest by enabling Indian tribal governments to provide radio service tailored to the needs and interests of their local communities that they are uniquely capable of providing.” 6 3. The Commission instituted several requirements for a Tribal Allotment. 7 Those requirements pertain to the identity of the applicant, the land and population covered by the principal 1 See FCC File No. BNPH-20171201AMM. 2 47 CFR § 73.202. 3 See Policies to Promote Rural Radio Service and to Streamline Allotment and Assignment Procedures, Notice of Proposed Rule Making, 24 FCC Rcd 5239 (2009) (NPRM); First Report and Order, 25 FCC Rcd 1583 (2010) (First R&O); Second Report and Order, 26 FCC Rcd 2556 (Second R&O); and Third Report and Order, 26 FCC Rcd 17642 (2011) (Third R&O) (collectively, Rural Radio). 4 47 U.S.C. § 307(b) (Section 307(b)). 5 First R&O, 25 FCC Rcd at 1596-97, paras. 1596-97. See also NPRM, 24 FCC Rcd at 5248, n.29 (defining “Indian Tribe[s]” and “Federally-Recognized Indian Tribes”), and n.30 (defining “Tribal Lands”). 6 First R&O, 25 FCC Rcd at 1588, para. 8; see also Third R&O, 26 FCC Rcd at 1646, n.32. 7 In order to satisfy the prerequisites for a Tribal Allotment, the following requirements must be met: “(A) The applicant is either a federally recognized Tribe or Tribal consortium, or an entity 51 percent or more of which is owned or controlled by a Tribe or Tribes…; (B)(1) At least 50 percent of the area within the proposed principal community contour is over that Tribe’s Tribal Lands, or (2) the proposed principal community contour (a) (continued….) Federal Communications Commission DA 18-146 2 community contour, the location of the proposed community, and the availability of radio services, especially Tribally owned or Tribal Entity owned radio services, at the proposed community. 8 4. In support of its petition, Petitioner states that The Chickasaw Nation is a federally recognized Tribe 9 and that the Petitioner meets the requirements established in Rural Radio for the Tribal Priority. Petitioner states that (1) more than fifty percent of the proposed station’s principal community contour is over the boundaries of The Chickasaw Nation Tribal Lands; 10 (2) Connerville, the proposed community of license, is located on The Chickasaw Nation Tribal Lands; 11 and (3) the proposed facility will be the first local Tribal-owned commercial transmission service at Connerville. 12 Petitioner further states that Connerville, Oklahoma, is a community for allotment purposes. 13 Connerville is a census- designated place (CDP) in Oklahoma, 14 with its own zip code, 15 and post office. Moreover, our independent research confirms that Connerville, as a CDP, is a community for allotment purposes. 5. Discussion. The facts presented by Petitioner are sufficient to support consideration of the allotment of FM Channel 247A at Connerville, Oklahoma, as a Tribal Allotment. The proposed Tribal Allotment of FM Channel 247A would serve the public interest by providing vital radio service to Connerville and to surrounding Chickasaw Nation Tribal Lands, as well as enabling the Petitioner to set its own communications priorities and goals with respect to such service. Moreover, the allotment would further the public interest by providing a first local Tribal-owned transmission service at Connerville. Finally, the proposed change in the FM Table of Allotments complies with the technical requirements of the Commission’s rules. 6. Accordingly, we seek comment on the proposed amendment of the FM Table of Allotments, 47 CFR. Section 73.202(b), by the allocation of FM Channel 247A at Connerville, (Continued from previous page) encompasses 50 percent or more of that Tribe’s Tribal Lands, (b) serves at least 2,000 people living on Tribal Lands, and (c) the total population on Tribal Lands residing within the proposed station’s service contour constitutes at least 50 percent of the total covered population…; (C) The proposed community of license must be located on Tribal Lands; and (D) The proposed service must constitute first or second aural (reception) service, or first local Tribal- owned commercial transmission service at the proposed community of license.” (Tribal Allotment Criteria). Third R&O, 26 FCC Rcd at 17646-47, para. 8. See also First R&O, 25 FCC Rcd at 1596-97, paras, 26-27; Second R&O, 26 FCC Rcd at 2585-87, para. 59; 47 CFR § 73.3573, Note 5. 8 Upon award of a Tribal Allotment, within a reasonable period of time the Commission will release a public notice announcing a Threshold Qualifications Window, during which any qualified applicant will be afforded the opportunity to file FCC Form 301 for the channel allotted as a Tribal Allotment. Third R&O, 26 FCC Rcd at 17645- 50, paras. 7-15. See also Second R&O, 26 FCC Rcd at 2588-90, paras. 62-64. Should no applicant meeting threshold qualifications file FCC Form 301 during the Threshold Qualifications Window (and should the proponent request that its already-filed Form 301 application not be immediately processed), the Tribal Allotment will be included in the inventory for a broadcast auction at a later date. In that event, only threshold qualified applicants, including the original proponent, may specify the Tribal Allotment in their applications to participate in the auction (FCC Form 175). Third R&O, 26 FCC Rcd at 17649-50, paras. 12-13. 9 Chickasaw Nation Petition for Rulemaking at 1 (filed December 1, 2017) (Petition). 10 93 percent of the area within the proposed station’s principle community contour is over The Chickasaw Nation Tribal Lands. Petition at Attachment B. 11 Id. 12 Petition at 1. 13 Id. at 2. 14 The 2016 5-year population estimate is 46 people for Connerville, Oklahoma. United States Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, searchable at http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml# (last visited Jan. 2, 2017). 15 The zip code is 74836. Federal Communications Commission DA 18-146 3 Oklahoma, as a Tribal Allotment, as set forth below: Community Present Proposed Connerville, Oklahoma ---- 247A 16 Proposed Coordinates for Channel 247A at Connerville, Oklahoma: 34-26-51 NL and 96-38-10 WL with a site restriction 9.40 kilometers (5.84 miles) southwest of Connerville. 7. 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 in paragraph 2 of the Appendix before a channel will be allotted. 8. Pursuant to Sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission’s Rules, 17 interested parties may file comments on or before April 9, 2018, and reply comments on or before April 23, 2018, and are advised to read the Appendix for the proper procedures. Comments should be filed with the Federal Communications Commission. Additionally, a copy of any filing should be served on counsel for Petitioner, as follows: The Chickasaw Nation c/o John Crigler, Esq. Suite 200, Flour Mill Building 1000 Potomac Street, NW Washington, DC 20007 9. Parties must file an original and one copy of each filing. 18 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 will receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary at the FCC Headquarters Building located at 445 12 th Street, S.W., Room TW- A325, Washington, D.C. 20554. The filing hours at this location are Monday through Friday, 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 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, Maryland 20701. U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Alternatively, parties may submit the filing electronically at http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Online filing is optional. Participants that file comments and replies in electronic form need only submit one copy of those comments, so long as the submission conforms to any procedural or filing requirements established for formal electronic comments. 19 All filings must be addressed to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, and Office of the Secretary. Any paper filing that is not addressed to the Office of the Secretary will be treated as filed on the day it is received in the Office of the 16 This channel is proposed to be reserved as a Tribal Allotment. 17 See 47 CFR §§1.415 and 1.419. 18 See Amendment of Certain of the Commission’s Part 1 Rules of Practice and Procedure and Part 0 Rules of Commission Reorganization, Report and Order, 26 FCC Rcd 1594, 1602, para. 21 (2011). 19 47 CFR § 1.419(d). Federal Communications Commission DA 18-146 4 Secretary. 20 Accordingly, failure to follow the specified requirements may result in the treatment of a filing as untimely. 10. 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. 21 This document does not contain proposed information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any proposed 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. 22 11. For further information concerning these proceedings, contact Adrienne Y. Denysyk, Media Bureau, at (202) 418-2700. For purposes of these restricted notice and comment rule making proceedings, 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 in the applicable docket 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 any summary of any new information shall be served by the person making the presentation upon the other parties to the proceeding in the particular docket 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 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 Nazifa Sawez Assistant Chief Audio Division Media Bureau 20 See 47 CFR § 1.7. 21 See Certification that Section 603 and 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Do Not Apply to Rule Making to Amend Sections 73.202(b), 73.504 and 73.606(b) of the Commission’s Rules, 46 FR 11549 (Feb. 9, 1981). 22 See 44 U.S.C. § 3506(c)(4). Federal Communications Commission DA 18-146 5 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 CFR Sections 0.61, 0.204(b) and 0.283, IT IS PROPOSED TO AMEND the FM Table of Allotments, 47 CFR 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 required to file comments expressing the proponent’s continuing interest in the proposed allotment and restating 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. 47 CFR § 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 CFR 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 Petitioner. 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 CFR Section 1.420(a), (b) and (c)). Comments should be filed with the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554. Alternatively, parties may submit the filing electronically at http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Online filing is optional. 5. Number of Copies. In accordance with the provisions of 47 CFR Section 1.419(b), an original and one copy of all comments, reply comments, pleadings, briefs, or other documents shall be furnished the Commission. Participants that file comments and replies in electronic form need only submit one copy of those comments, so long as the submission conforms to any procedural or filing requirements established for formal electronic comments. 47 CFR § 1.419(d). 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, DC. All filings are also available at http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/.