Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3584
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-23: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-08T23:44:43Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act (H.R. 3584) aims to honor nine U.S. Air Force crew members who died in a C-141B transport plane crash during a training mission on August 31, 1982, over the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests in North Carolina. It authorizes the relocation of an existing memorial from private land adjacent to the Cherohala Skyway to a site within the Nantahala National Forest, ensuring the memorial remains accessible and preserved.
Key Provisions
- Authorization for Relocation: The Secretary of Agriculture may approve the installation and maintenance of the memorial at the Stratton Ridge rest area (mile marker 2 on the Cherohala Skyway in Graham County, North Carolina) via a special use authorization (a permit allowing specific activities on national forest land). This requires the consent of the owner of the adjacent private land where the memorial is currently located.
- Site Approval Process: The chosen site must be approved by the Secretary, in coordination with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. If the site is near a federally funded highway, approval from the Federal Highway Administration is also needed.
- Funding Restrictions: No federal money can be used for relocating, installing, or maintaining the memorial. All costs, including application processing, environmental reviews, and ongoing upkeep, must be covered by the individual or group requesting the relocation.
- Terms and Conditions: The special use permit can include rules set by the Secretary, such as limits on expanding or altering the memorial to protect the surrounding forest environment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a special use permit specifically for this memorial relocation on National Forest System land. Previously, such installations might have required broader approvals or been restricted without explicit congressional permission, especially on land managed for conservation. It does not amend existing laws like the National Forest Management Act but provides a targeted exception for this historical commemoration.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service will handle permit issuance and oversight, potentially involving minor administrative workload for environmental assessments (e.g., checking for impacts on wildlife or trails). The North Carolina Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration may need to review for road safety, but no major resource strain is anticipated.
- On Citizens: Improves public access to the memorial at a roadside rest area, benefiting visitors, veterans, and families honoring the fallen crew. It preserves a piece of local and military history without taxpayer cost.
- On International Relations: None; this is a domestic matter focused on U.S. military history and national forest management.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (Forest Service): Responsible for approving and monitoring the site.
- North Carolina Department of Transportation: Involved in site approval to ensure highway compatibility.
- Federal Highway Administration: Consulted if the site affects federal-aid highways.
- Private Land Owner: Must consent to the relocation from their property.
- Requester/Entity: Likely a veterans' group, family members, or local organization; bears all financial and logistical responsibilities.
- Public and Veterans' Community: Gains better preservation and visibility of the memorial.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Requires environmental analysis under laws like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), but limits scope to the memorial's footprint. The no-federal-funds rule aligns with budget constraints and avoids entanglement with public spending debates.
- Constitutional: No significant issues; it respects property rights (via private owner consent) and federal land management authority under Article IV of the Constitution.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (by Reps. Edwards and Davis) highlights non-controversial support for military remembrance. It sets a precedent for similar localized memorials on federal lands, potentially encouraging future bills for historical sites without broad policy shifts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-23: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2025-05-23: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act — issued 2025-05-23 — PDF (3 pages)