Before the Federal Communications Commission DA 97-887 Washington, D.C. 20554 In the matter of Washington, DC Metropolitan Area ) Regional Public Safety Plan ) Gen. Docket No. 90-7 (Region 20) ) Philadelphia Metropolitan Area ) Regional Public Safety Plan ) Gen. Docket No. 89-573 (Region 28) ) ORDER Adopted: April 29, 1997 Released: May 1,1997 By the Chief, Private Wireless Division: 1. By this action, we grant a forty-five day extension of time in which the regional planning committee of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area ("Region 20") must file a detailed statement that establishes that there has been satisfactory coordination with the regional planning committee of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Area ("Region 28"). 2. By way of background, on December 9, 1996, the Chief of the Private Wireless Division of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and the Deputy Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology, pursuant to delegated authority, released an Order which addresses amendments submitted by Region 20 and Region 28. See Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Regional Public Safety Plan (Region 20), Philadelphia Metropolitan Area Regional Public Safety Plan (Region 28), Gen. Docket Nos.. 90-7 and 89-573, Order, DA 96- 2066 (released Dec. 9, 1996). In separate amendments, each committee proposes to modify their respective regional plans for the 821-824/866-869 MHz bands as provided by the Public Safety National Plan ("National Plan").1 The Order set forth, among other things, the 1 In 1987, the Commission established procedures for the development of regional plans under the National Plan for the public safety radio services. The National Plan was developed to ensure that channels allocated in the 821-824/866-869 MHz bands were used effectively and efficiently for important public safety functions such as crime control, fire fighting, and emergency medical services. See Development and Implementation of a Public Safety National Plan and Amendment of Part 90 to Establish Service Rules and Technical Standards for Use of the 821-824/866-869 MHz Bands by the Public Safety Services, GEN Docket No. 87-112, Report and Order, 3 FCC Red 905 (1987). 4984 requirement that Region 20 establish satisfactory inter-regional coordination procedures with Region 28. As part of this requirement, the Order required Region 20 to submit a detailed statement setting forth its inter-regional coordination procedures by March 30, 1997.2 3. By letter dated March 31, 1997, Steve Souder, Chairman of Region 20, requested that the March 30, 1997, deadline be extended for 45 days.3 Mr. Souder justifies the request on the grounds that due to ongoing negotiations between the Regions, more time is needed for Region 20 and Region 28 to arrive at satisfactory inter-regional coordination procedures. No opposition to this request has been filed. 4. In light of the ongoing negotations between Region 20 and Region 28 and the importance of establishing a mutually satisfactory agreement between the Regions, we find that there is good cause for extending the March 30, 1997 deadline by 45 days, and that grant of such extension request serves the public interest. We remain concerned, however, about avoiding a substantial delay in the resolution of issues presented in this proceeding, and we urge the parties to conclude their discussions within the time allotted by this extension. 5. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that the request for Extension of Time filed by Region 20 IS GRANTED. 6. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to Section 1.46 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.46, that the deadline for filing comments in this proceeding IS EXTENDED from March 30, 1997 to May 14, 1997. 7. This action is taken pursuant to authority found in Sections 4 (i) and 303 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 154 (i) and 303, and Sections 0.131 and 0.332 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.131 and 0.332. For further information, contact Kathryn Hosford, Private Wireless Division, (202) 418-0652. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION"Wr. David E. Horowitz Chief, Private Wireless Division Wireless Telecommunications Bureau 2 Order, DA 96-2066, at 7. 3 Letter from Steve Souder, Region 20 Chairman, to Kathryn Hosford, FCC Public Safety Liaison Officer, (Mar. 31, 1997). 4985