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###### Federal Communications Commission

          - 47 CFR Part 73 
          - [DA 00-2691, MM Docket No. 00-243, RM-9981] 

# AGENCY:

Federal Communications Commission. 

# ACTION:

Proposed rule. 

# 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. 

§ 73.622 

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