Down East Remembrance Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1280
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-09: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-24T12:48:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Down East Remembrance Act" (S. 1280) aims to honor the six individuals killed in a small plane crash in Carteret County, North Carolina, on February 13, 2022, by officially naming six local creeks after them. This serves as a memorial to remember the victims and their impact on the community.
Key Provisions
- Creek Designations: The bill specifies six creeks in North Carolina's coastal region (Down East area) and assigns them the following names, based on precise geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude):
- Noah Styron Creek (34°59'49.33" N, 76°8'42.11" W)
- Hunter Parks Creek (34°57'52.85" N, 76°11'11.25" W)
- Kole McInnis Creek (34°57'46.30" N, 76°11'18.18" W)
- Stephanie Fulcher Creek (34°57'38.08" N, 76°11'31.18" W)
- Jacob Taylor Creek (34°52'43.45" N, 76°17'41.49" W)
- Daily Shepherd Creek (34°52'28.26" N, 76°17'43.20" W)
- References in Official Documents: Any mention of these creeks in federal laws, regulations, maps, records, or other documents must now use the new designated names.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces new official names for what appear to be previously unnamed or informally named waterways. It does not amend broader environmental or land-use laws but updates federal recognition of these geographic features.
- No major alterations to existing statutes; it primarily affects nomenclature in official U.S. records, similar to other congressional naming acts for memorials.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Agencies like the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which manages official maps and geographic names, will need to update databases, maps, and signage. This could involve minor administrative costs but no significant operational changes.
- Citizens: Local residents in Carteret County and the Down East region may see enhanced community pride and remembrance through updated local maps and signs. It has no direct economic or regulatory effects on daily life.
- International Relations: None; this is a domestic, symbolic measure with no foreign policy implications.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Families of the Victims: Direct honorees (or their estates), providing a lasting tribute to Noah Styron, Hunter Parks, Kole McInnis, Stephanie Fulcher, Jacob Taylor, and Daily Shepherd.
- Local Community: Residents of Carteret County, North Carolina, including environmental groups, tourism operators, and historians who may reference the creeks in local contexts.
- Federal and State Agencies: USGS, National Park Service, and North Carolina state agencies responsible for natural resources and mapping, who must implement the name changes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward and non-controversial; naming geographic features falls under Congress's authority over federal lands and records (via the Commerce Clause and naming precedents). No challenges to property rights or environmental regulations are introduced.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce and federal territories; no First Amendment or due process issues, as it is a voluntary memorial without restricting speech.
- Political: Introduced by Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd (both from North Carolina), it reflects bipartisan support for local memorials in a divided Congress. Such acts are common for honoring tragedies and building goodwill in specific regions, with low national political risk.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-09: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- 2025-04-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-04-03: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Down East Remembrance Act — issued 2025-04-03 — PDF (2 pages)