[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 15, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26796-26800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12162]



[[Page 26796]]

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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 2 and 87

[WT Docket No. 00-77; FCC 01-122]


Accommodation of Advanced Digital Communications in the 117.975-
137 MHz Frequency Band and Implementation of Flight Information 
Services in the 136-137 MHz Frequency Band

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document amends the Commission's rules to (1) permit the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to use five additional channels 
in the 136-136.475 MHz frequency band; (2) authorize the implementation 
of Flight Information Services-Broadcast (FIS-B) in the 136-137 MHz 
band; (3) accommodate digital communications systems throughout the 
117.975-137 MHz aeronautical radio spectrum; and (4) clarify that five 
channels previously reserved for special purpose aeronautical enroute 
operations in the Gulf of Mexico Region--136.775 MHz, 136.800 MHz, 
136.825 MHz, 136.850 MHz and 136.875 MHz--are no longer so reserved, 
and thus may be licensed for general purpose aeronautical enroute 
operations without geographical limitation. The Commission has adopted 
these amendments in response to petitions for rulemaking filed by the 
Small Aircraft Manufacturers Association and the FAA, respectively, 
requesting that the Commission amend its rules to permit the 
implementation of FIS-B and other digital communications systems, and 
in response to comments on those petitions by Aeronautical Radio, Inc. 
and other organizations representing the aviation industry. These rule 
amendments will enhance the safety of aviation by alleviating spectrum 
congestion in the aeronautical radio frequency bands and by paving the 
way for the introduction of FIS-B and other new digital communications 
services.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective June 14, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Tobias, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-0680.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. This is a summary of the Commission's Report and Order (R&O), 
FCC 01-122, adopted on April 5, 2001, and released on April 13, 2001. 
The full text of this R&O is available for inspection and copying 
during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Room CY-A257, 
445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. The complete text may be 
purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International 
Transcription Service, Inc., 1231 20th Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20037.

Summary of Report and Order

    2. Based on the record in this proceeding, we conclude that the 
136-137 MHz frequency band should remain allocated for non-Government 
use on a primary basis, but that the FAA should have access to the five 
channels in that frequency band that have been held in reserve, 136.100 
MHz, 136.200 MHz, 136.275 MHz, 136.375 MHz, and 136.475 MHz. 
Maintaining the existing allocation will protect the private sector's 
current use of the 136-137 MHz frequencies for aircraft operational 
control communications without having a negative impact on the FAA's 
existing rights to use the lower channels on a shared basis for air 
traffic control purposes. In addition, the existing allocation of the 
band remains consistent with the Final Acts of the 1979 and 1987 World 
Administrative Radio Conferences. We also believe that the public 
interest will be served by extending the FAA's existing shared access 
to 136-137 MHz spectrum to include the specified additional five 
frequencies. This action will permit the deployment of Flight 
Information Services-Broadcast (FIS-B) to go forward as contemplated by 
the FAA and the civil aviation industry.
    3. We also conclude that we should accommodate digital 
communications in the 117.975-137 MHz band and allow the use of both 
VHF Digital Link Mode 2 and VHF Digital Link Mode 3 technology 
throughout the band without limitation. This action will help to 
alleviate congestion in the VHF aeronautical spectrum and will permit 
the introduction of FIS-B and other advanced services that will enhance 
the safety of flight. We also believe that placing no restrictions on 
the types of digital technologies that may operate in the 117.975-137 
MHz band will promote flexibility and efficiency during the transition 
to digital aviation communications systems. It will allow the FAA to 
move ahead with its plans to deploy a VHF Digital Link Mode 3 system in 
the near future, while at the same time addressing aviation industry 
concerns that the significant investment in VHF Digital Link Mode 2 
technology not be stranded.
    4. We further conclude that FIS-B should be authorized in the 136-
137 MHz band. The desire to accommodate FIS-B in the 136-137 MHz band 
was a primary impetus for this rulemaking proceeding, and all parties 
agree that deployment of FIS-B will serve the public interest. This 
action paves the way for the implementation of a new digital data 
service that will enhance flight safety in the frequency band 
identified by both the FAA and the industry as most suitable for that 
service. We designate as FIS-B frequencies the four frequencies 
identified by the FAA and the civil aviation industry in their 
pleadings and, consistent with the definition of FIS-B as a ground-to-
air service, we will prohibit the use of the FIS-B frequencies for 
transmissions from aircraft. Prohibiting aircraft transmission will 
ensure that FIS-B is used for its intended purpose, will promote 
spectrum efficiency, and will minimize the time for needed for aircraft 
reception of an entire FIS-B data transmission.
    5. Finally, we clarify that the reservation of six channels--
136.750 MHz, 136.775 MHz, 136.800 MHz, 136.825 MHz, 136.850 MHz and 
136.875 MHz--for special purpose aeronautical enroute services 
(helicopter flight following systems) in the Gulf of Mexico Region has 
expired, and we make five of the channels, all but 136.750 MHz, 
available for general purpose aeronautical enroute service both inside 
and outside the Gulf of Mexico Region. The reservation of these 
channels for helicopter flight following systems in the Gulf of Mexico 
Region expired on January 1, 1994. Of the six channels, only 136.750 
MHz was licensed for a helicopter flight following system prior to the 
January 1, 1994, expiration date. Accordingly, the frequency 136.750 
MHz should remain designated for special purpose enroute services in 
the Gulf of Mexico Region. Removing the restriction on the five other 
channels is consistent with previous FCC determinations and will 
provide needed additional spectrum resources for general purpose 
aeronautical enroute service.

Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA)

    6. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), an Initial 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was incorporated in the Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), 65 FR 41032, July 3, 2000, prepared in 
this proceeding. The Commission sought written public comment on the 
proposals in the NPRM, including comments on the IRFA. This present 
FRFA conforms to the RFA.

[[Page 26797]]

A. Need for, and Objectives of, the Report and Order
    7. Our objective in this proceeding is to address increasing 
spectrum congestion within the 117.975-136 MHz band stemming from 
increasing air traffic control communications requirements that cause 
frequency assignments in this band to grow about four percent annually. 
To alleviate this congestion in spectrum used for aviation 
communications vital to the safety of flight, while providing the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with the latitude it needs to 
meet its statutory role in administering the civil aviation 
communications spectrum, there needs to be a transition to new digital 
communications technology. The Report and Order and the rules adopted 
therein accommodate this need by revising technical requirements so as 
to permit the introduction of new digital aviation communication 
systems in the 117.975-136 MHz band generally, and the introduction 
specifically of a new digital data service known as Flight Information 
Service-Broadcast (FIS-B) on four channels in the 136-137 MHz portion 
of the band. The adopted rules further alleviate problems of spectrum 
scarcity in the 136-137 MHz band by giving the FAA shared access to 
five additional frequencies between 136.000 MHz and 136.475 MHz and by 
clarifying the availability for general purpose aeronautical enroute 
service communications of five frequencies between 136.750 MHz and 
136.875 MHz, inclusive.

II. Summary of Significant Issues Raised by Public Comments in 
Response to the IRFA

    8. No comments were filed in direct response to the IRFA.

III. Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to 
Which the Adopted Rules Will Apply

    9. Under the RFA, small entities may include small organizations, 
small businesses, and small governmental jurisdictions, or entities. 
The RFA directs agencies to provide a description of and, where 
feasible, an estimate of the number of small entities that may be 
affected by the proposed rules, if adopted. The RFA generally defines 
the term ``small entity'' as having the same meaning as the terms 
``small business,'' ``small organization,'' and ``small governmental 
jurisdiction.'' In addition, the term ``small business'' has the same 
meaning as the term ``small business concern'' under the Small Business 
Act. A small business concern is one that: (1) is independently owned 
and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field of operation; and (3) 
satisfies any additional criteria established by the SBA. The statutory 
definition of a small business applies ``unless an agency after 
consultation with the Office of Advocacy of the SBA, and after 
opportunity for public comment, establishes one or more definitions of 
such term which are appropriate to the activities of the agency and 
publishes such definition(s) in the Federal Register.''
    10. A small organization is generally ``any not-for-profit 
enterprise which is independently owned and operated and is not 
dominant in its field.'' Nationwide, as of 1992, there were 
approximately 275,801 small organizations. The definition of ``small 
governmental jurisdiction'' is one with a population of fewer than 
50,000. There are 85,006 governmental jurisdictions in the nation. This 
number includes such entities as states, counties, cities, utility 
districts and school districts. There are no figures available on what 
portion of this number has populations of fewer than 50,000. However, 
this number includes 38,978 counties, cities and towns, and, of those, 
37,556, or 96 percent, have populations of fewer than 50,000. The 
Census Bureau estimates that this ratio is approximately accurate for 
all government entities. Thus, of the 85,006 governmental entities, we 
estimate that 96 percent, or about 81,600, are small entities that may 
be affected by our rules. Nationwide, there are 4.44 million small 
business firms, according to SBA reporting data.
    11. The rules adopted in this Report and Order will affect small 
businesses that use, manufacture, design, import, or sell transceivers 
or other radio equipment intended to operate in the frequency band 
117.975-137 MHz for the provision of aviation communications. There are 
no Commission-imposed requirements, however, for any entity to use 
these products. The adopted rules will benefit small entities that use 
such equipment, moreover, because they will enhance the safety and 
efficiency of aircraft navigation. At this time, the Commission does 
not have access to data that would permit a meaningful estimate of the 
number of small entities potentially affected by the adopted rules. 
Therefore, we will use the SBA definition of manufacturers of Radio and 
Television Broadcasting and Communications Equipment. According to the 
SBA's regulations, manufacturers of transceivers and radio equipment 
must have 750 or fewer employees in order to qualify as a small 
business concern. Census Bureau data indicates that there are 858 U.S. 
firms that manufacture radio and television broadcasting and 
communications equipment, and that 778 of these firms have fewer than 
750 employees and would be classified as small entities. The Census 
Bureau category is very broad, and specific figures are not available 
as to how many of these firms are exclusive manufacturers of 
transceivers and radio equipment or how many are independently owned 
and operated.
D. Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other 
Compliance Requirements
    12. No new reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance 
requirements would be imposed on applicants or licensees as a result of 
the actions taken in this rulemaking proceeding.
E. Steps Taken To Minimize Significant Economic Impact on Small 
Entities and Significant Alternatives Considered
    13. The RFA requires an agency to describe any significant 
alternatives that it has considered in reaching its proposed approach, 
which may include the following four alternatives: (1) The 
establishment of differing compliance or reporting requirements or 
timetables that take into account the resources available to small 
entities; (2) the clarification, consolidation, or simplification of 
compliance or reporting requirements under the rule for small entities; 
(3) the use of performance, rather than design, standards; and (4) an 
exemption from coverage of the rule, or any part thereof, for small 
entities. The rules adopted in the Report and Order do not impose any 
new reporting or compliance requirements, but only permit additional 
uses of existing Aviation Radio Service frequencies and the 
establishment of a new service. The rules adopted will accommodate the 
deployment of new digital transceivers designed to operate in the VHF 
aeronautical frequency bands, but the Commission has not specified 
design standards for such equipment; the Report and Order affects only 
the technical, performance standards for the use of the frequencies at 
issue. These rules reflect, moreover, a consensus among the FAA and the 
civil aviation industry regarding the best means of implementing FIS-B 
and other advanced digital aviation communications services. No parties 
commenting on the NPRM recommended any significant alternatives to the 
rules adopted.

[[Page 26798]]

VI. Federal Rules That May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict With the 
Adopted Rules

    14. None.
    Report to Congress: The Commission will send a copy of this Report 
and Order, including this FRFA, in a report to be sent to Congress 
pursuant to the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 
1996, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A). In addition, the Commission will end a 
copy of this Report and Order, including FRFA, to the Chief Counsel for 
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. A copy of the Report and 
Order and FRFA (or summaries thereof) will also be published in the 
Federal Register. See 5 U.S.C. 604(b).

Ordering Clauses

    15. Authority for issuance of this Report and Order is contained in 
sections 1, 4(i), 302, 303(f) and (r), 332, and 337 of the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 302, 
303(f) and (r), 337.
    16. Pursuant to sections 1, 4(i), 302, 303(f) and (r), 332, and 337 
of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 
302, 303(f) and (r), 337, that parts 2 and 87 of the Commission's 
Rules, 47 CFR parts 2 and 87, ARE AMENDED as set forth in appendix B, 
effective thirty days after publication of this Report and Order in the 
Federal Register.
    17. The Commission's Consumer Information Bureau, Reference 
Information Center, SHALL SEND a copy of this Report and Order, 
including the Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, to the Chief 
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.

List of Subjects

47 CFR Part 2

    Radio; Telecommunications.

47 CFR Part 87

    Air transportation; Radio.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Deputy, Secretary.

Final Rules

    For reasons discussed in the preamble, Title 47 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, parts 2 and 87 are amended as follows:

PART 2--FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS; GENERAL 
RULES AND REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for Part 2 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, and 336, unless otherwise 
noted.

    2. Section 2.106 is amended by revising footnote US244 to read as 
follows:


Sec. 2.106  Table of Frequency Allocations.

* * * * *
    United States (US) Footnotes
* * * * *
    US244  The band 136.000-137.000 MHz is allocated to the non-Federal 
Government aeronautical mobile (R) service on a primary basis, and is 
subject to pertinent international treaties and agreements. The 
frequencies 136.000, 136.025, 136.050, 136.075, 136.100, 136.125, 
136.150, 136.175, 136.200, 136.225, 136.250, 136.275, 136.300, 136.325, 
136.350, 136.375, 136.400, 136.425, 136.450, and 136.475 MHz are 
available on a shared basis to the Federal Aviation Administration for 
air traffic control purposes, such as automatic weather observation 
stations (AWOS), automatic terminal information services (ATIS), flight 
information services-broadcast (FIS-B), and airport control tower 
communications. Existing operational meteorological satellites in the 
band 136-137 MHz may continue to operate on a not-to-interfere basis to 
aeronautical mobile (R) stations, until January 1, 2002. No new 
assignments will be made to stations in the meteorological-satellite 
service.
* * * * *

PART 87--AVIATION SERVICES

    3. The authority citation for Part 87 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, and 307(e), unless otherwise 
noted.

    4. In Sec. 87.131, amend the table by revising the entries for 
Aeronautical enroute and aeronautical fixed, Airport control tower, and 
Aircraft (Communication) to read as follows:


Sec. 87.131  Power and emissions.

* * * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Authorized
         Class of station            Frequency band/frequency      emission(s) \9\         Maximum power \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *
                                                        *
Aeronautical enroute and            HF........................  R3E, H3E, J3E, J7B,    6 kw.
 aeronautical fixed.                                             H2B.
                                    HF........................  A1A, F1B, J2A, J2B...  1.5 kw.
                                    VHF.......................  A3E, A9W, G1D........  200 watts.\2\
 
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *
                                                        *
Airport control tower.............  VHF.......................  A3E, G1D, G7D........  50 watts.
                                    Below 400 kHz.............  A3E..................  15 watts.
 
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *
                                                        *
                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Aeronautical Frequencies
                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aircraft (Communication)..........  UHF.......................  F2D, F9D, F7D........  25 watts.
                                    VHF.......................  A3E, A9W, G1D, G7D...  55 watts.
                                    HF........................  R3E, H3E, J3E, J7B,    400 watts.
                                                                 H2B, J7D, J9W.
                                    HF........................  A1A, F1B, J2A, J2B...  100 watts.
 
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *
                                                        *
 
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *
                                                        *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The power is measured at the transmitter output terminals and the type of power is determined according to
  the emission designator as follows:
(i) Mean power (pY) for amplitude modulated emissions and transmitting both sidebands using unmodulated full
  carrier.
(ii) Peak envelope power (pX) for all emission designators other than those referred to in paragraph (i) of this
  note.
\2\ Power and antenna height are restricted to the minimum necessary to achieve the required service.

[[Page 26799]]

 
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *
   *
\9\ Excludes automatic link establishment.


    5. In Sec. 87.133, amend the table in paragraph (a) by revising the 
heading for (5) Band--100-137 MHz to read (5) Band--108-137 MHz, and by 
revising the entries below that heading for Aeronautical stations and 
Aircraft and other mobile stations in the Aviation Services and by 
adding notes 12 and 13 to the table to read as follows:


Sec. 87.133  Frequency stability.

    (a) * * * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frequency band (lower limit exclusive,
upper limit inclusive), and categories   Tolerance \1\    Tolerance \2\
              of stations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
*                  *                  *                  *
                  *                  *                  *
(5) Band--108 to 137 MHz:
    Aeronautical stations.............          \4\ 50          \12\ 20
 
*                  *                  *                  *
                  *                  *                  *
    Aircraft and other mobile stations          \5\ 50          \13\ 30
     in the Aviation Services.........
 
*                  *                  *                  *
                  *                  *                  *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ This tolerance is the maximum permitted until January 1, 1990, for
  transmitters installed before January 2, 1985, and used at the same
  installation. Tolerance is indicated in parts in 10<SUP>6</SUP> unless shown in
  Hertz (Hz).
\2\ This tolerance is the maximum permitted after January 1, 1985, for
  new and replacement transmitters and to all transmitters after January
  1, 1990. Tolerance is indicated in partS in 10<SUP>6</SUP> unless shown in Hertz
  (Hz).
*                  *                  *                  *
     *                  *                *
\4\ The tolerance for transmitters approved between January 1, 1966, and
  January 1, 1974, is 30 parts in 10<SUP>6</SUP>. The tolerance for transmitters
  approved after January 1, 1974, and stations using offset carrier
  techniques is 20 parts in 10<SUP>6</SUP>.
\5\ The tolerance for transmitters approved after January 1, 1974, is 30
  parts in 10<SUP>6</SUP>.
*                  *                  *                  *
     *                  *                  *
\12\ For emissions G1D and G7D, the tolerance is 2 parts per 10<SUP>6</SUP>.
\13\ For emissions G1D and G7D, the tolerance is 5 parts per 10<SUP>6</SUP>.
*                  *                  *                  *
     *                  *                  *


    6. In Sec. 87.137, amend the table in paragraph (a) by adding an 
additional entry for G1D immediately below the existing entries for G1D 
to read as follows:


Sec. 87.137  Types of emission.

    (a) * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Authorized bandwidth (kilohertz)
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
         Class of emission             Emission designator                                          Frequency
                                                                 Below 50 MHz     Above 50 MHz      deviation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *
                                                        *
G1D...............................  14K0G1D..................  ...............              25   ...............
 
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *
                                                        *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    7. Amend Sec. 87.139 by adding new paragraph (k) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 87.139  Emission limitations.

* * * * *
    (k) For VHF aeronautical stations and aircraft stations operating 
with G1D or G7D emissions:
    (1) The amount of power measured across either first adjacent 25 
kHz channel shall not exceed 0 dBm.
    (2) The amount of power measured across either second adjacent 
channel share less than -25 dBm and the power measured in any other 
adjacent 25 kHz channels shall monotonically decrease at a rate of at 
least 5 dB per octave to a maximum value of -52 dBm.
    (3) The amount of power measured over a 16 kHz channel bandwidth 
centered on the first adjacent 25 kHz channel shall not exceed -20 dBm.

    8. In Sec. 87.173, amend the table in paragraph (b) by revising the 
entries from 136.00-136.075 MHz through 136.975 MHz to read as follows:


Sec. 87.173  Frequencies.

* * * * *
    (b) Frequency table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Frequency or frequency band               Subpart                Class of station              Remarks
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *
                                                        *
136.000-136.400 MHz...............  O, S                        MA, FAC, FAW                Air traffic control
                                                                                             operations; 25 kHz
                                                                                             channel
                                                                                            spacing.
136.425 MHz.......................  O, S                        MA, FAC, FAW                Air traffic control
                                                                                             operations.
136.450 MHz.......................  O, S                        MA, FAC, FAW                Air traffic control
                                                                                             operations.
136.475 MHz.......................  O, S                        MA, FAC, FAW                Air traffic control
                                                                                             operations.
136.500-136.875 MHz...............  I                           MA, FAE                     Domestic VHF; 25 kHz
                                                                                             channel spacing.
136.900 MHz.......................  I                           MA, FAE                     International and
                                                                                             domestic VHF.
136.925 MHz.......................  I                           MA, FAE                     International and
                                                                                             domestic VHF.

[[Page 26800]]

 
136.950 MHz.......................  I                           MA, FAE                     International and
                                                                                             domestic VHF.
136.975 MHz.......................  I                           MA, FAE                     International and
                                                                                             domestic VHF.
 
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *
                                                        *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    9. Amend Sec. 87.187 by adding new paragraph (dd) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 87.187  Frequencies.

* * * * *
    (dd) The frequencies 136.425, 136.450, 136.475, and 136.500 MHz are 
designated for flight information services-broadcast (FIS-B) and may 
not be used by aircraft for transmission.

    10. In Sec. 87.263, amend by revising paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(5) 
to read as follows:


Sec. 87.263  Frequencies.

    (a) Domestic VHF service. (1) Frequencies in the 128.8125-132.125 
MHz and 136.4875-137.00 MHz bands are available to serve domestic 
routes, except that the frequency 136.750 MHz is available only to 
aeronautical enroute stations located at least 288 kilometers (180 
miles) from the Gulf of Mexico shoreline (outside the Gulf of Mexico 
region). The frequencies 136.900 MHz, 136.925 MHz, 136.950 MHz and 
136.975 MHz are available to serve domestic and international routes. 
Frequency assignments are based on 25 kHz spacing. Use of these 
frequencies must be compatible with existing operations and must be in 
accordance with pertinent international treaties and agreements.
* * * * *
    (5) The frequency 136.750 MHz is available in the Gulf of Mexico 
Region to serve domestic routes over the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent 
coastal areas. Assignment of this frequency in the Gulf of Mexico 
Region shall be to licensees first licensed on this frequency in the 
Gulf of Mexico Region prior to January 1, 1994, their successors and 
assigns, and is not subject to the conditions in Sec. 87.261(c) and 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section. For the purpose of this paragraph, 
the Gulf of Mexico Region is defined as an area bounded on the east, 
north, and west by a line 288 km (180 miles) from the Gulf of Mexico 
shore line. Inland stations must be located within forty-eight 
kilometers (30 miles) of the Gulf of Mexico shore line.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 01-12162 Filed 5-14-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P