Freeze on the Filing of Applications for Digital Replacement Translator Stations and Displacement Applications, 36059-36060 [2014-14753]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 25, 2014 / Notices FEDERAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ADVISORY BOARD FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Notice of Meeting Schedule for 2015 [DA 14–808] Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board. Freeze on the Filing of Applications for Digital Replacement Translator Stations and Displacement Applications AGENCY: ACTION: Notice. Board Action: Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3511(d), the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463), as amended, and the FASAB Rules of Procedure, as amended in October, 2010, notice is hereby given that the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) will meet on the following dates in room 7C13 of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Building (441 G St. NW.) unless otherwise noted: —Wednesday and Thursday, February 25 and 26, 2015 —Wednesday and Thursday, April 29 and 30, 2015 —Wednesday and Thursday, June 24 and 25, 2015 —Wednesday and Thursday, August 26 and 27, 2015 —Wednesday and Thursday, October 21 and 22, 2015 —Wednesday and Thursday, December 16 and 17, 2015 The purpose of the meetings is to discuss issues related to: —Leases —Public-Private Partnerships —Reporting Entity —Reporting Model —Risk Assumed, and —Any other topics as needed. Any interested person may attend the meetings as an observer. Board discussion and reviews are open to the public. GAO Building security requires advance notice of your attendance. Please notify FASAB of your planned attendance by calling 202–512–7350 at least one day prior to the respective meeting. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Wendy Payne, Executive Director, at (202) 512–7350. Authority: Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. 92–463. Dated: June 20, 2014. Charles Jackson, Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2014–14884 Filed 6–24–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1610–02–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:36 Jun 24, 2014 Jkt 232001 Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This document announces a freeze on the filing of displacement applications by Class A television, low power television and TV translator stations and on the filing of applications for digital replacement translators. DATES: This filing limitation become effective on June 11, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shaun Maher, Video Division, Media Bureau, (202) 418–2324, Shaun.Maher@ fcc.gov SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective immediately, the Media Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission announces a freeze on the filing of applications for digital replacement translator (DRT) stations and displacement applications for low power television (LPTV), TV translator, and Class A television stations pursuant to §§ 73.3572(a)(4) and 74.787(a)(4) of the Commission’s rules. Because the digital transition was largely completed five years ago, in June 2009, and the Bureau issued a Freeze Public Notice on April 5, 2013, imposing limitations on the filing and processing of certain applications by full power and Class A television stations, there should be little occasion for new DRT and displacement applications to be filed. See Media Bureau Announces Limitations on the Filing and Processing of Full Power and Class A Television Station Modification Applications, Effective Immediately, and Reminds Stations of Spectrum Act Preservation Mandate, Public Notice, 28 FCC Rcd 4364. In addition, Class A television stations were subject to displacement only as the result of ‘‘engineering solutions’’ by full power stations to resolve ‘‘technical problems’’ in replicating and maximizing the full power station’s DTV service areas during the DTV transition. Consequently, the impact of this freeze on the LPTV, TV translator, and Class A services should be minimal. The Commission recently adopted rules to implement the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction authorized by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, Public Law 112–96 Sections 6402, 6403, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 36059 126 Stat. 156 (2012). In conjunction with the incentive auction, the Commission has announced that it will conduct a ‘‘reverse auction’’ and reorganization or ‘‘repacking’’ of the broadcast television bands in order to free up a portion of the ultra high frequency (UHF) band for new flexible uses. See In the Matter of Expanding the Economic and Innovation Opportunities of Spectrum Through Incentive Auctions, MB Docket No. 12–268, Report and Order, FCC 14–50, released June 2, 2014. The facilities of DRT, LPTV, and TV translator stations will not be protected during repacking. Existing DRT, LPTV, and TV translator stations displaced by repacking will be permitted to file displacement applications in a special window to be opened following the completion of the auction. To facilitate the special displacement window and to protect the opportunity for stations displaced by repacking of the television bands to obtain a new channel from the limited number of channels likely to be available for application after repacking, the Media Bureau deems it appropriate to freeze the acceptance of additional DRT and displacement applications at this time. The Media Bureau will continue to process pending DRT and displacement applications. Following the completion of the incentive auction, the Media Bureau will announce the dates and procedures for the special displacement window. During the freeze, the Media Bureau will consider waiver requests by LPTV and TV translator stations that wish to submit a displacement application demonstrating that they are causing or receiving ‘‘new actual’’ interference to or from a full power television station. By ‘‘new’’ interference, we mean interference that is a result of the initiation of new or modified service by a full power station during the freeze. To qualify for the waiver, the displacement applicant must demonstrate either actual interference within the noise limited contour of the full power station or actual interference to the displacement applicant’s LPTV or TV translator station, either of which will result in the immediate loss of service to viewers, thus necessitating the grant of its application. Although the Commission is not accepting modification applications for changes to existing television service areas that would increase a full power station’s noise-limited contour or a Class A station’s protected contour in one or more directions beyond the area resulting from the station’s authorized facilities as of the April 5, 2013 freeze, E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM 25JNN1 36060 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 25, 2014 / Notices and the likelihood of ‘‘new’’ interference occurring to LPTV and TV translator stations is remote, we believe that it is important to allow the filing of a displacement application in such rare cases. We do not anticipate waiving the freeze to accept applications for new DRT stations. That service was created to enable full power stations to reach existing in-contour analog viewers that would not otherwise receive service from a station on termination of its analog service and completion of its DTV transition, which took place no later than June 12, 2009. Full power stations have had adequate time since then to identify such loss areas and apply for a DRT. We similarly do not anticipate waiving the freeze to accept Class A displacement applications, since those stations were subject to additional interference only from full power stations that encountered ‘‘technical problems’’ in replicating or maximizing their digital service areas during the DTV transition. Minor change applications and applications for digital flash cut and digital companion channels filed by existing LPTV and TV translator stations, and by Class A stations, will continue to be accepted for filing. The decision to impose this freeze is procedural in nature, and therefore is not subject to the notice and comment and effective date requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), (d). Moreover, we find that there is good cause for not delaying the effect of these procedures until 30 days after date of publication in the Federal Register. Such a delay would be impractical, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest because it would undercut the purposes of the freeze. This action is taken by the Chief, Media Bureau pursuant to authority delegated by 47 CFR 0.283 of the Commission’s rules. Federal Communications Commission. Barbara Kreisman, Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau. [FR Doc. 2014–14753 Filed 6–24–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES [DA 14–818] Consumer Advisory Committee Meeting Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Commission announces the next meeting date, time, and agenda SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:01 Jun 24, 2014 Jkt 232001 of its Consumer Advisory Committee (hereinafter the ‘‘Committee’’). The purpose of the Committee is to make recommendations to the Commission regarding matters within the jurisdiction of the Commission and to facilitate the participation of all consumers in proceedings before the Commission. DATES: July 25, 2014, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW., Commission Meeting Room, TW–C305, Washington, DC 20554. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Marshall, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, (202) 418–2809 (voice or Relay), or email Scott.Marshall@fcc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission’s document DA 14–818, released June 19, 2014, announcing the agenda, date, and time of the Committee’s next meeting. Meeting Agenda At its July 25, 2014 meeting, the Committee is expected to consider a recommendation from its Universal Service Working Group concerning interagency coordination relative to the Lifeline program and broadband adoption. The Committee’s Consumer Protection Working Group is also expected to present for consideration a recommendation regarding stolen mobile devices. The Committee may also consider other recommendations from its working groups, and may receive briefings from FCC staff and outside speakers on matters of interest to the Committee. A limited amount of time will be available on the agenda for comments from the public. The public may ask questions of presenters via the email address livequestions@fcc.gov or via Twitter using the hashtag #fcclive. In addition, the public may also follow the meeting on Twitter @fcc or via the Commission’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fcc. Alternatively, members of the public may send written comments to: Scott Marshall, Designated Federal Officer of the Committee at the address provided above. The meeting is open to the public, and the site is fully accessible to people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Sign language interpreters, open captioning, assistive listening devices, and Braille copies of the agenda and handouts will be provided on site. Meetings are also broadcast live with open captioning over the Internet from the FCC Live Web page at www.fcc.gov/ live/. Other reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 upon request. The request should include a detailed description of the accommodation needed and contact information. Please provide as much advance notice as possible; last minute requests will be accepted, but may not be possible to fill. To request an accommodation, send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202–418–0530 (voice), 202–418–0432 (TTY). Federal Communications Commission. Kris Anne Monteith, Acting Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. [FR Doc. 2014–14862 Filed 6–24–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION Sunshine Act Meeting Federal Election Commission. Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. PLACE: 999 E Street NW., Washington, DC. STATUS: This Meeting Will Be Closed to the Public. AGENCY: DATE AND TIME: FEDERAL REGISTER CITATION OF PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT: 79 FR 35353 (June 20, 2014). This meeting will begin at 11:00 a.m. rather than 10:00 a.m. * * * * * PERSON TO CONTACT FOR INFORMATION: Judith Ingram, Press Officer, Telephone: (202) 694–1220. CHANGE IN THE MEETING: Shelley E. Garr, Acting Secretary and Clerk of the Commission. [FR Doc. 2014–15001 Filed 6–23–14; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 6715–01–P FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION Notice of Agreements Filed The Commission hereby gives notice of the filing of the following agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties may submit comments on the agreements to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within twelve days of the date this notice appears in the Federal Register. Copies of the agreements are available through the Commission’s Web site (www.fmc.gov) or by contacting the Office of Agreements at (202) 523–5793 or tradeanalysis@fmc.gov. Agreement No.: 011117–054. E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM 25JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 122 (Wednesday, June 25, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36059-36060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14753]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 14-808]


Freeze on the Filing of Applications for Digital Replacement 
Translator Stations and Displacement Applications

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This document announces a freeze on the filing of displacement 
applications by Class A television, low power television and TV 
translator stations and on the filing of applications for digital 
replacement translators.

DATES: This filing limitation become effective on June 11, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shaun Maher, Video Division, Media 
Bureau, (202) 418-2324, Shaun.Maher@fcc.gov

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective immediately, the Media Bureau of 
the Federal Communications Commission announces a freeze on the filing 
of applications for digital replacement translator (DRT) stations and 
displacement applications for low power television (LPTV), TV 
translator, and Class A television stations pursuant to Sec. Sec.  
73.3572(a)(4) and 74.787(a)(4) of the Commission's rules. Because the 
digital transition was largely completed five years ago, in June 2009, 
and the Bureau issued a Freeze Public Notice on April 5, 2013, imposing 
limitations on the filing and processing of certain applications by 
full power and Class A television stations, there should be little 
occasion for new DRT and displacement applications to be filed. See 
Media Bureau Announces Limitations on the Filing and Processing of Full 
Power and Class A Television Station Modification Applications, 
Effective Immediately, and Reminds Stations of Spectrum Act 
Preservation Mandate, Public Notice, 28 FCC Rcd 4364. In addition, 
Class A television stations were subject to displacement only as the 
result of ``engineering solutions'' by full power stations to resolve 
``technical problems'' in replicating and maximizing the full power 
station's DTV service areas during the DTV transition. Consequently, 
the impact of this freeze on the LPTV, TV translator, and Class A 
services should be minimal.
    The Commission recently adopted rules to implement the broadcast 
television spectrum incentive auction authorized by the Middle Class 
Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, Public Law 112-96 Sections 
6402, 6403, 126 Stat. 156 (2012). In conjunction with the incentive 
auction, the Commission has announced that it will conduct a ``reverse 
auction'' and reorganization or ``repacking'' of the broadcast 
television bands in order to free up a portion of the ultra high 
frequency (UHF) band for new flexible uses. See In the Matter of 
Expanding the Economic and Innovation Opportunities of Spectrum Through 
Incentive Auctions, MB Docket No. 12-268, Report and Order, FCC 14-50, 
released June 2, 2014. The facilities of DRT, LPTV, and TV translator 
stations will not be protected during repacking. Existing DRT, LPTV, 
and TV translator stations displaced by repacking will be permitted to 
file displacement applications in a special window to be opened 
following the completion of the auction.
    To facilitate the special displacement window and to protect the 
opportunity for stations displaced by repacking of the television bands 
to obtain a new channel from the limited number of channels likely to 
be available for application after repacking, the Media Bureau deems it 
appropriate to freeze the acceptance of additional DRT and displacement 
applications at this time. The Media Bureau will continue to process 
pending DRT and displacement applications. Following the completion of 
the incentive auction, the Media Bureau will announce the dates and 
procedures for the special displacement window.
    During the freeze, the Media Bureau will consider waiver requests 
by LPTV and TV translator stations that wish to submit a displacement 
application demonstrating that they are causing or receiving ``new 
actual'' interference to or from a full power television station. By 
``new'' interference, we mean interference that is a result of the 
initiation of new or modified service by a full power station during 
the freeze. To qualify for the waiver, the displacement applicant must 
demonstrate either actual interference within the noise limited contour 
of the full power station or actual interference to the displacement 
applicant's LPTV or TV translator station, either of which will result 
in the immediate loss of service to viewers, thus necessitating the 
grant of its application. Although the Commission is not accepting 
modification applications for changes to existing television service 
areas that would increase a full power station's noise-limited contour 
or a Class A station's protected contour in one or more directions 
beyond the area resulting from the station's authorized facilities as 
of the April 5, 2013 freeze,

[[Page 36060]]

and the likelihood of ``new'' interference occurring to LPTV and TV 
translator stations is remote, we believe that it is important to allow 
the filing of a displacement application in such rare cases. We do not 
anticipate waiving the freeze to accept applications for new DRT 
stations. That service was created to enable full power stations to 
reach existing in-contour analog viewers that would not otherwise 
receive service from a station on termination of its analog service and 
completion of its DTV transition, which took place no later than June 
12, 2009. Full power stations have had adequate time since then to 
identify such loss areas and apply for a DRT. We similarly do not 
anticipate waiving the freeze to accept Class A displacement 
applications, since those stations were subject to additional 
interference only from full power stations that encountered ``technical 
problems'' in replicating or maximizing their digital service areas 
during the DTV transition.
    Minor change applications and applications for digital flash cut 
and digital companion channels filed by existing LPTV and TV translator 
stations, and by Class A stations, will continue to be accepted for 
filing.
    The decision to impose this freeze is procedural in nature, and 
therefore is not subject to the notice and comment and effective date 
requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), 
(d). Moreover, we find that there is good cause for not delaying the 
effect of these procedures until 30 days after date of publication in 
the Federal Register. Such a delay would be impractical, unnecessary, 
and contrary to the public interest because it would undercut the 
purposes of the freeze.
    This action is taken by the Chief, Media Bureau pursuant to 
authority delegated by 47 CFR 0.283 of the Commission's rules.

Federal Communications Commission.
Barbara Kreisman,
Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2014-14753 Filed 6-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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