80 FR 32042 - Prevailing Rate Systems; Special Wage Schedules for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Flood Control Employees of the Vicksburg District in Mississippi

OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 108 (June 5, 2015)

Page Range		32042-32043
FR Document		2015-13778

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a proposed rule to establish special wage schedules specific to nonsupervisory, leader, and supervisory wage employees of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) who work at flood control dams (also known as reservoir projects) at the Vicksburg District of the Mississippi Valley Division. The four lakes of the District are currently in two separate wage areas. The Department of Defense (DOD) would be assigned lead agency responsibility for establishing and issuing these special wage schedules. The special wage schedules would be established at the same time and with rates identical to the Memphis, TN, appropriated fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage schedule.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 108 (Friday, June 5, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32042-32043]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13778]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 108 / Friday, June 5, 2015 / Proposed 
Rules

[[Page 32042]]



OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

5 CFR Part 532

RIN 3206-AN17


Prevailing Rate Systems; Special Wage Schedules for U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers Flood Control Employees of the Vicksburg District in 
Mississippi

AGENCY: U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a 
proposed rule to establish special wage schedules specific to 
nonsupervisory, leader, and supervisory wage employees of the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers (USACE) who work at flood control dams (also known 
as reservoir projects) at the Vicksburg District of the Mississippi 
Valley Division. The four lakes of the District are currently in two 
separate wage areas. The Department of Defense (DOD) would be assigned 
lead agency responsibility for establishing and issuing these special 
wage schedules. The special wage schedules would be established at the 
same time and with rates identical to the Memphis, TN, appropriated 
fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage schedule.

DATES: We must receive comments on or before July 6, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by ``RIN 3206-AN17,'' 
using any of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    Mail: Brenda L. Roberts, Deputy Associate Director for Pay and 
Leave, Employee Services, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Room 
7H31, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415-8200.
    Email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Madeline Gonzalez, by telephone at 
(202) 606-2858 or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPM is issuing a proposed rule to establish 
special wage schedules for USACE nonsupervisory, leader, and 
supervisory wage employees who work at flood control dams (also known 
as reservoir projects) and whose duty station is located at one of the 
lakes that comprise the Vicksburg District of the Mississippi Valley 
Division. DOD would be assigned lead agency responsibility for 
establishing and issuing these special wage schedules. The special wage 
schedules would be established at the same time and with rates 
identical to the Memphis, TN, appropriated fund FWS wage schedule.
    The Vicksburg District of the Mississippi Valley Division is 
comprised of the following four lakes:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Lakes                              County                              Wage area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arkabutla Lake.......................  Tate County, MS..............  Memphis, TN.
Enid Lake............................  Yalobusha County, MS.........  Northern Mississippi.
Grenada Lake.........................  Grenada County, MS...........  Northern Mississippi.
Sardis Lake..........................  Panola County, MS............  Memphis, TN.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Grenada and Yalobusha Counties have been defined to the area of 
application of the Northern Mississippi (previously called Columbus-
Aberdeen, MS) wage area since the FWS was established in 1972. In 1978, 
OPM redefined Tate County from the Columbus-Aberdeen area of 
application to the Memphis, TN, area of application. In 1996, OPM added 
Grenada County to the Northern Mississippi survey area. In 2011, OPM 
redefined Panola County from the Northern Mississippi area of 
application to the Memphis area of application. Panola County is the 
location of the District headquarters for USACE employees of the four 
lake projects.
    At the request of the labor members of the Federal Prevailing Rate 
Advisory Committee (FPRAC), the Committee has reexamined the definition 
of Grenada and Yalobusha Counties to see if a change in their 
definition is warranted. During the review of this subject, the 
Committee heard local testimony indicating that there is considerable 
workforce interaction between the four lakes in the Vicksburg District 
and presents a unique pay situation that is detrimental to the 
efficient functioning of the lake projects in the District.

Regulatory Criteria Under 5 CFR 532.211

    OPM considers the following regulatory criteria under 5 CFR 532.211 
when defining FWS wage area boundaries:
    (i) Distance, transportation facilities, and geographic features;
    (ii) Commuting patterns; and
    (iii) Similarities in overall population, employment, and the kinds 
and sizes of private industrial establishments.
    Except for the transportation facilities and geographic features 
criteria, the analysis of the regulatory criteria for Grenada and 
Yalobusha Counties favors the Northern Mississippi wage area.
    Based on this analysis, OPM has determined that Grenada and 
Yalobusha Counties are appropriately defined to the Northern 
Mississippi wage area.

Special Wage Schedules

    Because there exists a unique situation in the Vicksburg District 
to the point that all four lakes may be considered to be managed as one 
installation, FPRAC recommended by majority vote that DOD establish and 
issue special wage schedules for USACE employees whose duty station is 
located in one of the lakes that comprise the Vicksburg District of the 
Mississippi Valley Division. OPM is proposing to create a special wage 
schedule practice in this unique circumstance as recommended by FPRAC. 
The special wage schedules would be established using rates identical 
to the Memphis appropriated fund FWS wage schedule.
    These special wage schedules would apply on the first day of the 
first

[[Page 32043]]

applicable pay period beginning on or after 60 days following 
publication of the final regulations. USACE employees with duty 
stations in one of the lakes of the Vicksburg District would transfer 
to the new special wage schedules on a step-by-step basis. No current 
employee will have his or her pay rate reduced as a result of 
implementing these new special wage schedules.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    I certify that these regulations would not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they 
would affect only Federal agencies and employees.

Executive Order 13563 and Executive Order 12866

    This proposed rule has been reviewed by the Office of Management 
and Budget in accordance with Executive Order 13563 and Executive Order 
12866.

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 532

    Administrative practice and procedure, Freedom of information, 
Government employees, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Wages.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Katherine Archuleta,
Director.

    Accordingly, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management is proposing 
to amend 5 CFR part 532 as follows:

PART 532--PREVAILING RATE SYSTEMS

0
1. The authority citation for part 532 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5343, 5346; Sec.  532.707 also issued under 
5 U.S.C. 552.

0
2. Subpart B is amended by adding Sec.  532.289 to read as follows:


Sec.  532.289  Special Wage Schedules for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
Flood Control Employees of the Vicksburg District in Mississippi.

    (a)(1) The Department of Defense will establish special wage 
schedules for wage employees of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who 
work at flood control dams (also known as reservoir projects) and whose 
duty station is located in one of the lakes that comprise the Vicksburg 
District of the Mississippi Valley Division.
    (2) These special wage schedules will provide rates of pay for 
nonsupervisory, leader, and supervisory employees. These special 
schedule positions will be identified by pay plan codes XR 
(nonsupervisory), XT (leader), and XU (supervisory).
    (b) The Vicksburg District of the Mississippi Valley Division is 
comprised of the following four lakes:

(1) Grenada Lake in Grenada County, MS
(2) Enid Lake in Yalobusha County, MS
(3) Sardis Lake in Panola County, MS
(4) Arkabutla Lake in Tate County, MS

    (c) Special wage schedules shall be established at the same time 
and with rates identical to the Memphis, TN, appropriated fund wage 
schedule.

[FR Doc. 2015-13778 Filed 6-4-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-39-P

32042

Proposed Rules Federal Register
Vol. 80, No. 108

Friday, June 5, 2015

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER leader, and supervisory wage employees 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC
contains notices to the public of the proposed of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 20415–8200.
issuance of rules and regulations. The (USACE) who work at flood control Email: pay-leave-policy@opm.gov.
purpose of these notices is to give interested dams (also known as reservoir projects)
persons an opportunity to participate in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
at the Vicksburg District of the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final Madeline Gonzalez, by telephone at
Mississippi Valley Division. The four
rules. (202) 606–2858 or by email at pay-leave-
lakes of the District are currently in two
policy@opm.gov.
separate wage areas. The Department of
Defense (DOD) would be assigned lead SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OPM is
OFFICE OF PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT agency responsibility for establishing issuing a proposed rule to establish
and issuing these special wage special wage schedules for USACE
5 CFR Part 532 schedules. The special wage schedules nonsupervisory, leader, and supervisory
would be established at the same time wage employees who work at flood
RIN 3206–AN17 and with rates identical to the Memphis, control dams (also known as reservoir
TN, appropriated fund Federal Wage projects) and whose duty station is
Prevailing Rate Systems; Special Wage System (FWS) wage schedule. located at one of the lakes that comprise
Schedules for U.S. Army Corps of the Vicksburg District of the Mississippi
DATES: We must receive comments on or
Engineers Flood Control Employees of Valley Division. DOD would be assigned
the Vicksburg District in Mississippi before July 6, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, lead agency responsibility for
AGENCY: U.S. Office of Personnel identified by ‘‘RIN 3206–AN17,’’ using establishing and issuing these special
Management. any of the following methods: wage schedules. The special wage
ACTION: Proposed rule with request for Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// schedules would be established at the
comments. www.regulations.gov. Follow the same time and with rates identical to
instructions for submitting comments. the Memphis, TN, appropriated fund
SUMMARY: The U.S. Office of Personnel Mail: Brenda L. Roberts, Deputy FWS wage schedule.
Management (OPM) is issuing a Associate Director for Pay and Leave, The Vicksburg District of the
proposed rule to establish special wage Employee Services, U.S. Office of Mississippi Valley Division is
schedules specific to nonsupervisory, Personnel Management, Room 7H31, comprised of the following four lakes:

Lakes County Wage area

Arkabutla Lake .................................................................. Tate County, MS ............................................................. Memphis, TN.
Enid Lake .......................................................................... Yalobusha County, MS ................................................... Northern Mississippi.
Grenada Lake ................................................................... Grenada County, MS ...................................................... Northern Mississippi.
Sardis Lake ....................................................................... Panola County, MS ......................................................... Memphis, TN.

Grenada and Yalobusha Counties Committee heard local testimony Based on this analysis, OPM has
have been defined to the area of indicating that there is considerable determined that Grenada and Yalobusha
application of the Northern Mississippi workforce interaction between the four Counties are appropriately defined to
(previously called Columbus-Aberdeen, lakes in the Vicksburg District and the Northern Mississippi wage area.
MS) wage area since the FWS was presents a unique pay situation that is
Special Wage Schedules
established in 1972. In 1978, OPM detrimental to the efficient functioning
redefined Tate County from the of the lake projects in the District. Because there exists a unique
Columbus-Aberdeen area of application Regulatory Criteria Under 5 CFR situation in the Vicksburg District to the
to the Memphis, TN, area of application. 532.211 point that all four lakes may be
In 1996, OPM added Grenada County to considered to be managed as one
the Northern Mississippi survey area. In OPM considers the following installation, FPRAC recommended by
2011, OPM redefined Panola County regulatory criteria under 5 CFR 532.211 majority vote that DOD establish and
from the Northern Mississippi area of when defining FWS wage area issue special wage schedules for USACE
application to the Memphis area of boundaries: employees whose duty station is located
application. Panola County is the (i) Distance, transportation facilities, in one of the lakes that comprise the
location of the District headquarters for and geographic features; Vicksburg District of the Mississippi
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

USACE employees of the four lake (ii) Commuting patterns; and Valley Division. OPM is proposing to
projects. (iii) Similarities in overall population, create a special wage schedule practice
At the request of the labor members employment, and the kinds and sizes of in this unique circumstance as
of the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory private industrial establishments. recommended by FPRAC. The special
Committee (FPRAC), the Committee has Except for the transportation facilities wage schedules would be established
reexamined the definition of Grenada and geographic features criteria, the using rates identical to the Memphis
and Yalobusha Counties to see if a analysis of the regulatory criteria for appropriated fund FWS wage schedule.
change in their definition is warranted. Grenada and Yalobusha Counties favors These special wage schedules would
During the review of this subject, the the Northern Mississippi wage area. apply on the first day of the first

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 108 / Friday, June 5, 2015 / Proposed Rules 32043

applicable pay period beginning on or (b) The Vicksburg District of the DC 20250–0237; Fax: (202) 720–8938; or
after 60 days following publication of Mississippi Valley Division is Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. All
the final regulations. USACE employees comprised of the following four lakes: comments should reference the
with duty stations in one of the lakes of (1) Grenada Lake in Grenada County, document number and the date and
the Vicksburg District would transfer to MS page number of this issue of the Federal
the new special wage schedules on a (2) Enid Lake in Yalobusha County, MS Register. All comments submitted in
step-by-step basis. No current employee (3) Sardis Lake in Panola County, MS response to this proposed rule will be
will have his or her pay rate reduced as (4) Arkabutla Lake in Tate County, MS included in the record and will be made
a result of implementing these new (c) Special wage schedules shall be available for public inspection in the
special wage schedules. established at the same time and with Office of the Docket Clerk during regular
rates identical to the Memphis, TN, business hours, or can be viewed at:
Regulatory Flexibility Act
appropriated fund wage schedule. http://www.regulations.gov. Please be
I certify that these regulations would advised that the identity of the
[FR Doc. 2015–13778 Filed 6–4–15; 8:45 am]
not have a significant economic impact individuals or entities submitting the
BILLING CODE 6325–39–P
on a substantial number of small entities comments will be made public on the
because they would affect only Federal internet at the address provided above.
agencies and employees.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Executive Order 13563 and Executive Geronimo Quinones, Marketing
Order 12866 Agricultural Marketing Service Specialist, or Michelle P. Sharrow,
This proposed rule has been reviewed Rulemaking Branch Chief, Marketing
by the Office of Management and 7 CFR Part 925 Order and Agreement Division, Fruit
Budget in accordance with Executive [Doc. No. AMS–FV–14–0049; FV14–925–3] and Vegetable Program, AMS, USDA,
Order 13563 and Executive Order 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop
12866. Grapes Grown in a Designated Area of 0237, Washington, DC 20250–0237;
Southeastern California; Proposed Telephone: (202) 720–2491, Fax: (202)
List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 532 Amendments to Marketing Order 720–8938, or Email:
Administrative practice and Geronimo.Quinones@ams.usda.gov or
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, Michelle.Sharrow@ams.usda.gov.
procedure, Freedom of information,
USDA.
Government employees, Reporting and Small businesses may request
ACTION: Proposed rule.
recordkeeping requirements, Wages. information on complying with this
U.S. Office of Personnel Management. SUMMARY: This rulemaking invites regulation by contacting Jeffrey Smutny,
Katherine Archuleta, comments on three proposed Marketing Order and Agreement
Director. amendments to Marketing Order No. Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program,
925 (order), which regulates the AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence
Accordingly, the U.S. Office of handling of table grapes grown in a Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington,
Personnel Management is proposing to designated area of southeastern DC 20250–0237; Telephone: (202) 720–
amend 5 CFR part 532 as follows: California. Two amendments are based 2491, Fax: (202) 720–8938, or Email:
on proposals made by the California Jeffrey.Smutny@ams.usda.gov.
PART 532—PREVAILING RATE
SYSTEMS Desert Grape Administrative Committee SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
(Committee), which is responsible for proposal is issued under Marketing
■ 1. The authority citation for part 532 the local administration of the order. Order No. 925, as amended (7 CFR part
continues to read as follows: These proposed amendments would 925), regulating the handling of table
increase term lengths for Committee grapes grown in a designated area of
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5343, 5346; § 532.707
also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552. members and alternates from one to four southeastern California, hereinafter
fiscal periods and would allow new referred to as the ‘‘order.’’ The order is
■ 2. Subpart B is amended by adding members and alternates to agree to effective under the Agricultural
§ 532.289 to read as follows: accept their nominations prior to Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as
§ 532.289 Special Wage Schedules for U.S. selection. The proposals are intended to amended (7 U.S.C. 601–674), hereinafter
Army Corps of Engineers Flood Control increase the Committee’s effectiveness referred to as the ‘‘Act.’’ Section
Employees of the Vicksburg District in and bolster industry participation in 608c(17) of the Act and the applicable
Mississippi. Committee activities. rules of practice and procedure
(a)(1) The Department of Defense will In addition to the Committee’s governing the formulation of marketing
establish special wage schedules for proposals, the Agricultural Marketing agreements and orders (7 CFR part 900)
wage employees of the U.S. Army Corps Service (AMS) proposes an amendment authorizes amendment of the order
of Engineers who work at flood control that would add authority for periodic through this informal rulemaking
dams (also known as reservoir projects) continuance referenda to allow action. AMS will consider comments
and whose duty station is located in one producers to indicate whether or not received in response to this rule, and
of the lakes that comprise the Vicksburg there exists continuing support for the based on all the information available,
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

District of the Mississippi Valley order. will determine if order amendment is
Division. DATES: Comments must be received by warranted. If AMS determines
(2) These special wage schedules will August 4, 2015. amendment of the order is warranted, a
provide rates of pay for nonsupervisory, ADDRESSES: Written comments should subsequent proposed rule and
leader, and supervisory employees. be submitted to the Docket Clerk, referendum order would be issued and
These special schedule positions will be Marketing Order and Agreement producers would be allowed to vote for
identified by pay plan codes XR Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, or against the proposed order
(nonsupervisory), XT (leader), and XU AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence amendments. AMS would then issue a
(supervisory). Avenue SW., STOP 0237, Washington, final rule effectuating any amendments

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Document Created: 2015-12-15 15:20:59
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 15:20:59

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Proposed Rules
Action		Proposed rule with request for comments.
Dates		We must receive comments on or before July 6, 2015.
Contact		Madeline Gonzalez, by telephone at (202) 606-2858 or by email at [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 32042
RIN Number		3206-AN17
CFR Associated		Administrative Practice and Procedure; Freedom of Information; Government Employees; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Wages