Federal Communications Commission                                 DA 20-719


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.
(Various Locations)
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ORDER
Adopted:  July 10, 2020	              Released:  July 10, 2020

By the Assistant Chief, Audio Division, Media Bureau:

1. This Order updates the FM Table of Allotments (“FM Table”) 47 CFR § 73.202(b).
 to reinstate certain vacant FM allotments.  The attached Appendix shows the FM Table, as amended, for those communities.
2. Formerly, the FM Table listed all vacant FM allotments as well as FM channels and communities occupied by authorized facilities. See Revision of Procedures Governing Amendments to FM Table of Allotments and Changes of Community of License in the Radio Broadcast Services, Report and Order, 21 FCC Rcd 14212, 14221, ¶ 15 (2006), recon. pending (“Changes of Community R&O”). 
  In 2006, the Commission removed the allotments of authorized and awarded FM facilities from the FM Table in order to accommodate the new application procedures for radio stations to change their communities of license. Id. 
  As contemplated by the Changes of Community R&O, when an authorization is cancelled, the vacant FM channel needs to be reinstated in the FM Table in order to be protected for spacing purposes and preserve the opportunity to license a future station in the specified community. Staff engineering analysis confirms that all of the vacant allotments listed in the Appendix meet the minimum distance separation requirements of 47 CFR § 73.207.  However, five of the vacant allotments warrant additional explanation.  To prevent short-spacing, we adopted new site restrictions for vacant Channels 261B at Coalinga, California, and 278C2 at Hereford, Texas.  Both are considered fully spaced allotments notwithstanding the subsequent grant of authorization to several stations that are providing contour protection to these allotments under section 73.215 of the Commission’s rules. Additionally, vacant Channels 261B at Coalinga, California, 271A at Ford City, California, and *275A at Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands are also considered fully spaced allotments notwithstanding the subsequent grant of authorizations to several stations that are providing contour protection to these allotments under section 73.215 of the Commission’s rules.                 

  The allotments listed in the attached Appendix were removed from the FM Table because a construction permit and/or license was granted.  These FM allotments are considered vacant because of the cancellation of the associated authorizations or the dismissal of long-form auction applications. We are, therefore, reinstating the allotments set forth in the Appendix.  On a going-forward basis, we will periodically issue Orders to update the FM Table reinstating allotments that have become vacant due to the cancellation of an authorization or license.                  
3. The vacant FM allotments listed in the Appendix have previously undergone notice and comment rule making.  Reinstatement of the vacant allotments is merely a ministerial action to effectuate licensing procedures adopted in the Changes of Community R&O.  Therefore, we find for good cause that further notice and comment are unnecessary. See 5 U.S.C. § 553(b)(B).  
   
4. The Commission will not send a copy of this Order pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, see 5 U.S.C. § 801(a)(1)(A), because these allotments were previously reported.  
5. Ordering Clauses.  Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, that upon publication in the Federal Register, the FM Table of Allotments, 47 CFR § 73.202(b), IS AMENDED, in accordance with the changes set forth in the Appendix to this Order.  
6. For further information regarding a proceeding listed above, contact Rolanda F. Smith, (202) 418-2700.   				
					FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

	Nazifa Sawez
	Assistant Chief 
	Audio Division
					Media Bureau

Appendix













APPENDIX

Community		Channel Deleted		Channel Added
Avenal, California					269A
Coalinga, California					261B
Dos Palos, California					240A
Firebaugh, California					234A
Ford City, California					271A
King City, California					275A
Lindsay, California					277B1
Calhan, Colorado					284C3
Idalia, Colorado					231A
Asbury, Iowa	*238A			*254A
Ganado, Texas					235C1
Hereford, Texas					278C2
Palacios, Texas					259C1
Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands 					*275A

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