Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1876
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-27: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 215.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-27T20:42:58Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act (S. 1876) aims to honor nine U.S. Air Force crew members who died in a C-141B transport plane crash during a training mission over the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests on August 31, 1982. It authorizes the relocation of an existing memorial from private land to a public site within the Nantahala National Forest to ensure its preservation and accessibility.
Key Provisions
- Authorization for Relocation: The Secretary of Agriculture may issue a special use permit (a type of permission for specific activities on federal land) to install and maintain the memorial at the Stratton Ridge rest area (mile marker 2 on the Cherohala Skyway) in Graham County, North Carolina, within the Nantahala National Forest. 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 (NC DOT). If the site is next to a federally funded highway, approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is also needed.
- Funding Restrictions: No federal money can be used for relocating, installing, or maintaining the memorial. The individual or group requesting the move must cover all costs, including application processing, environmental reviews (assessments of potential impacts on the environment), and ongoing upkeep.
- Permit Conditions: The special use permit can include rules set by the Secretary, such as prohibiting any expansion of the memorial beyond its original size.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a targeted exception to standard rules for using National Forest System land. It allows a one-time special use authorization for a non-commercial memorial without altering broader federal land management laws, such as those under the National Forest Management Act. Previously, such installations might have required more extensive approvals or been restricted without specific congressional permission.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Forest Service (under the Department of Agriculture) gains flexibility to host the memorial but incurs no financial burden, as costs are borne by the requester. NC DOT and FHWA may face minor administrative involvement in site reviews, potentially affecting local road safety or maintenance if the site is highway-adjacent.
- On Citizens: Improves public access to the memorial for veterans, families, and visitors along the Cherohala Skyway, a popular scenic route, without taxpayer expense. It preserves a piece of local and military history in a more visible, federally protected location.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic matter focused on U.S. military history.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Forest Service and Department of Agriculture: Responsible for approving and overseeing the permit.
- North Carolina Department of Transportation and FHWA: Involved in site approvals to ensure compatibility with highway infrastructure.
- Private Landowner: Must consent to the relocation from their property.
- Requester (Likely Family, Veterans' Groups, or Community Organizations): Bears all financial and logistical responsibilities for the move and maintenance.
- Air Force Crew Families and Veterans' Community: Benefits from the memorial's enhanced visibility and preservation.
- Local Residents and Tourists: Gains easier access to a site of historical significance in a national recreation area.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the use of special use authorizations for cultural or commemorative purposes on federal lands, aligning with laws like the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, while emphasizing cost recovery to avoid undue federal spending. Environmental reviews ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
- Constitutional: No significant issues; it supports free speech and assembly interests by facilitating a memorial without infringing on property rights (via private consent).
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (by Senators Tillis and Budd from North Carolina) highlights local interests in military remembrance and tourism. It sets no broad precedents but could encourage similar targeted bills for other memorials, potentially streamlining approvals for non-controversial sites.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-27: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 215.
- 2025-10-27: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
- 2025-10-27: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
- 2025-10-21: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-05-22: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2025-05-22: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act — issued 2025-05-22 — PDF (3 pages)
- Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act — issued 2025-10-27 — PDF (4 pages)