# Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of Anchorage, AK, Nonappropriated Fund Wage Area > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-17782 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Rule - **Published:** July 12, 1996 - **Citation:** 61 FR 36609 ## Text SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management is issuing an interim rule to redefine the Anchorage, AK, nonappropriated fund (NAF) Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area for pay-setting purposes. DATES: This interim rule becomes effective on July 12, 1996. Comments must be received by August 12, 1996. ADDRESSES: Send or deliver comments to Donald J. Winstead, Assistant Director for Compensation Policy, Human Resources Systems Service, Office of Personnel Management, Room 6H31, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415, or FAX: (202) 606-0824. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Shields, (202) 606-2848. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Personnel Management is redefining the Anchorage, AK, FWS NAF wage area to add the Valdez- Cordova census area as an area of application, and delete 10 area of application census divisions. The Anchorage, Alaska, NAF wage area was composed of a 1 census division survey area and an 18 census division area of application. With this change, the wage area is now made up of the same survey area (Anchorage Borough, Alaska) and 9 area of application boroughs and census areas (Fairbanks North Star, Juneau, Kenai Peninsula, Ketchikan Gateway, Kodiak Island, Sitka, Southeast Fairbanks, Valdez-Cordorva, and Yukon-Koyukuk). These changes became necessary because the Air Force is planning for the first time to hire temporary NAF FWS employees in the Valdez Recreation Area in the Valdez-Cordova census area, an area currently undefined for NAF wage setting purposes. In addition, the definition of the entire Anchorage NAF wage area needed to be updated because the Alaska boroughs and census areas and their names have been changed since this wage area was last defined in regulation and because base closures have left some locations without any NAF employees. The 10 area of application census divisions being deleted are: Aleutian Islands, Barrow-North Slope, Bethel, Bristol Bay, Kobuk, Kuskokwim, Nome, Outer Ketchikan, Southeast Fairbanks, and Upper Yukon. As required in regulation, 5 CFR 532.219, the following criteria were considered in redefining these wage areas: (1) Proximity of largest activity in each county; (2) Transportation facilities and commuting patterns; and (3) Similarities of the counties in: (i) Overall population; (ii) Private employment in major industry categories; and (iii) Kinds and sizes of private industrial establishments. An analysis of the proposed change under these criteria supports the recommended redefinition. Valdez-Cordova is contiguous to the Anchorage survey area. Further, because the Anchorage, Alaska, NAF wage area is the only NAF wage area in Alaska and there are no other nearby NAF wage areas, the proposed redefinition is clearly the only reasonable alternative. The Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee reviewed this recommendation and by consensus recommended approval. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), I find that good cause exists for waiving the general notice of proposed rulemaking. Also, pursuant to section 553(d)(3) of title 5, United States Code, I find that good cause exists for making this rule effective in less than 30 days. The notice is being waived and the regulation is being made effective in less than 30 days because it is necessary to define the Valdez-Cordova census area to a NAF wage area as soon as possible to provide for setting the pay of new Air Force NAF employees in that location. Regulatory Flexibility Act I certify that these regulations will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they affect only Federal agencies and employees. List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 532 Administrative practice and procedure, Freedom of information, Government employees, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Wages. Office of Personnel Management. Lorraine A. Green, Deputy Director. Accordingly, OPM is amending 5 CFR part 532 as follows: PART 532--PREVAILING RATE SYSTEMS 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. 2. Appendix D to subpart B is amended by revising the listing for Anchorage, Alaska, to read as follows: Appendix D to Subchapter B of Part 532--Nonappropriated Fund Wage and Survey Areas * * * * * Alaska Anchorage Survey Area Alaska: (Borough) Anchorage Area of application. Survey area plus: Alaska: (Boroughs and census areas) Fairbanks North Star Juneau Kenai Peninsula Ketchikan Gateway Kodiak Island Sitka Southeast Fairbanks Valdez-Cordova Yukon-Koyukuk * * * * * * [FR Doc. 96-17782 Filed 7-11-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6325-01-M --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-17782. Public record. Not legal advice.