[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55613-55614]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24331]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION


Public Information Collection(s) Requirement Submitted to OMB for 
Emergency Review and Approval

September 16, 2003.
SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency may not conduct or 
sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for 
failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control 
number. Comments are requested concerning (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Commission, including whether the information 
shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's 
burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before October 27, 
2003. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find 
it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, 
you should advise the contacts listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all comments to Kim A. Johnson, Office of Management 
and Budget, Room 10236 NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, (202) 395-3562 or 
via Internet at [email protected], and Les Smith, Federal 
Communications Commission, Room 1-A804, 445 12th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20554 or via Internet to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or copies 
of the information collections contact Les Smith at (202) 418-0217 or 
via Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission has requested emergency OMB 
review of this collection with an approval by September 16, 2003.
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0027.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Title: Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast 
Station, FCC Form 301.
    Form Number: FCC 301.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 3,370.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 37 to 121 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion requirements; Third party 
disclosure.
    Total Annual Burden: 7,427 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: $35,485,300.
    Needs and Uses: On September 3, 2003, the United States Court of 
Appeals for the Third Circuit issued an Order staying the effectiveness 
of the new media ownership rules adopted by the Commission on June 2, 
2003. (Report and Order, MB Docket 02-277 and MM Dockets 01-235, 01-
317, and 00-244, and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, In The Matter of 
2002 Biennial Regulatory Review--Review of the Commission's Broadcast 
Ownership Rules and Other Rules Adopted Pursuant to Section 202 of the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996.) 68 FR 46285, August 5, 2003. The Court 
ordered ``that the prior ownership rules remain in effect pending 
resolution of these proceedings.'' Prometheus Radio Project v. FCC, No. 
03-3388 (3d Cir. Sept. 3, 2003) (per curiam). The Court's Order 
requires that the Commission process broadcast station applications 
under the prior ownership rules. Because FCC Form 301(June 2002) was 
supposed to have expired in August 2003 but was superceded by the July 
2003 version, we are now requesting immediate reactivation of the 
previously approved version of this form.
    FCC Form 301 is used to apply for authority to construct a new 
commercial AM, FM, or TV broadcast station, or to make changes in 
existing facilities of such a station. In addition, FM licensees or 
permittees may request, by application on FCC Form 301, upgrades on 
adjacent and co-channels, modifications to adjacent channels of the 
same class and downgrades to

[[Page 55614]]

adjacent channels without first submitting a petition for rulemaking. 
All applicants using this one-step process must demonstrate that a 
suitable site exists which would comply with allotment standards with 
respect to minimum distance separation and city-grade coverage and 
which would be suitable for tower construction. To receive 
authorization for commencement of Digital Television (``DTV'') 
operation, commercial broadcast licensees must file FCC Form 301 for a 
construction permit. This application may be filed anytime after 
receiving the initial DTV allotment but must be filed before mid-point 
in a particular applicant's required construction period. The 
Commission will consider these applications as minor changes in 
facilities. Applications will not have to supply full legal or 
financial qualification information.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-24331 Filed 9-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P