[Claim for Per Diem Under Emergency Evacuation Authority]

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee requested reimbursement of per diem expenses in connection with his relocation to commercial lodgings beyond the limits of his official duty station. GAO noted that: (1) the employee was forced to move out of his quarters under an emergency evacuation and was authorized to move into a motel 37 miles beyond his permanent duty station; and (2) there is no authority under emergency evacuation provisions to pay per diem and subsistence expenses at an employee's duty station. GAO found that: (1) an employee's immediate family and household goods may be transported at government expense when an official emergency evacuation is required; (2) an employee who is forced to evacuate his quarters is entitled to transportation and per diem if he is required to perform duty away from his official duty station; and (3) the claimant was required to perform official duties away from his official duty station. Accordingly, the claimant may be reimbursed per diem and mileage allowances applicable to his travel in a temporary duty status.