[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 6, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 76207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30971]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 73

[DA 00-2691, MM Docket No. 00-243, RM-9981]


Digital Television Broadcast Service; Orono, ME

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Commission requests comments on a petition filed by Maine 
Public Broadcasting Corporation, licensee of noncommercial educational 
station WMEB-TV, NTSC channel 12, Orono, Maine, proposing the 
substitution of DTV channel *9 for station WMEB-TV's assigned DTV 
channel *22. DTV Channel *9 can be allotted to Orono, Maine, in 
compliance with the principle community coverage requirements of 
Section 73.625(a) at reference coordinates (44-42-13 N. and 69-04-47 
W.). However, since the community of Orono is located within 400 
kilometers of the U.S.-Canadian border, concurrence by the Canadian 
government must be obtained for this proposal. As requested, we propose 
to allot DTV Channel *9 to Orono with a power of 15.0 and a height 
above average terrain (HAAT) of 375 meters.

DATES: Comments must be filed on or before January 25, 2001, and reply 
comments on or before February 9, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., 
Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. In addition to filing comments with 
the FCC, interested parties should serve the petitioner, or its counsel 
or consultant, as follows: Todd D. Gray, Margaret L. Miller, Christine 
J. Newcomb, Dow, Lohnes & Albertson, 1200 New Hampshire, NW., Suite 
800, Washington, DC 20036 (Counsel for Maine Public Broadcasting 
Corporation).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Blumenthal, Mass Media Bureau, 
(202) 418-1600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Commission's 
Notice of Proposed Rule Making, MM Docket No. 00-243, adopted December 
1, 2000, and released December 4, 2000. The full text of this 
Commission decision is available for inspection and copying during 
normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center, 445 12th Street, 
SW., Washington, DC. The complete text of this decision may also be 
purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International 
Transcription Services, Inc., (202) 857-3800, 1231 20th Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20036.
    Provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 do not apply 
to this proceeding.
    Members of the public should note that from the time a Notice of 
Proposed Rule Making is issued until the matter is no longer subject to 
Commission consideration or court review, all ex parte contacts are 
prohibited in Commission proceedings, such as this one, which involve 
channel allotments. See 47 CFR 1.1204(b) for rules governing 
permissible ex parte contacts.
    For information regarding proper filing procedures for comments, 
see 47 CFR 1.415 and 1.420.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73

    Television, Digital television broadcasting.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal 
Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR part 73 as follows:

PART 73--TELEVISION BROADCAST SERVICES

    1. The authority citation for part 73 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, and 336.


Sec. 73.622  [Amended]

    2. Section 73.622(b), the Table of Digital Television Allotments 
under Maine is amended by removing DTV Channel *22 and adding DTV 
Channel *9 at Orono.

Federal Communications Commission.
Barbara A. Kreisman,
Chief, Video Services Division, Mass Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 00-30971 Filed 12-5-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P