Status of potential buyout To: "E - All WRD Employees" cc: "Catherine L Hill, ACH/Operations, Reston, VA" , "Alice C Dilandro, Secretary (S), Reston, VA" , "Norman E Schmidt Jr., Ch., Br. of Human Res. Mgmt., Reston, VA" , "Susan M Marcus Reston, VA" Subject: Status of potential buyout Date: Fri, 06 Jun 1997 13:35:05 -0400 From: "Catherine L Hill, ACH/Operations, Reston, VA" As you know, with the enactment of the FY 1997 budget appropriation, government agencies received authority to apply for a buyout. The current process is much more complicated and time-consuming than previous buyout processes--the buyout documentation and justification has to be approved by the Department of the Interior, the Office of Management and Budget, and Congress. The bureau has been working on developing the justification for a buyout for several months now, in the hopes that we will have congressional approval by mid- to late-summer. However, there is no guarantee that Congress will approve our request for a buyout. If we do receive approval, the buyout will remain restricted to certain functions and/or cost centers within WRD, as discussed in the Chief Hydrologist's memo to all employees November 4, 1996. If buyout authority is approved, we (WRD) still plan to use it in a limited manner, to assist us in targeted streamlining. This means the buyout will be limited to specific units that need to downsize, and/or specific functions that would be abolished. We will keep you informed once more information becomes available. On another subject, the early-retirement authority has been extended through December 31, 1997. *************************************************** * Cathy Hill * * Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Operations * * U.S. Geological Survey * * 441 National Center * * Reston, VA 22092 * * Phone: (703) 648-5031 * * Fax: (703) 648-5295 * ***************************************************