Air Force Memorial Relocation: New Bill Approves Site, Bans Federal Funding for All Costs

The Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act is about making a permanent, public home for a tribute to nine service members who died in a 1982 plane crash. If you’ve ever driven the Cherohala Skyway in North Carolina, this bill concerns a specific rest area there.

Essentially, the bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to allow the installation of a memorial at the Stratton Ridge rest area (mile marker 2) within the Nantahala National Forest. This relocation can only happen if the current private landowner, where the memorial is currently situated, agrees to move it. It’s a straightforward land-use authorization, but the fine print about who pays for what is the real story here.

The Price Tag: 100% Off-Limits to Taxpayers

Here’s the first thing to know: This bill is a hard stop on federal spending. Section 2 clearly states that absolutely no Federal funds can be used for relocating, installing, or maintaining this memorial. That means the entire financial burden—every single dollar—falls on the individual or group requesting the move.

This isn't just about the physical move; it covers the administrative costs, too. The sponsoring group must pay for processing the application, issuing the special use authorization, and covering the cost of any required environmental analysis. For the folks pushing this memorial, that environmental review could be a significant, unbudgeted expense, and the final cost of the project is entirely dependent on what the Forest Service decides is necessary.

The Bureaucracy of a Memorial

Even though the bill names the general area—the Stratton Ridge rest area—the specific spot requires a bureaucratic sign-off. The Secretary of Agriculture must approve the exact site, and they have to do it in agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). If the chosen spot is next to a Federal-aid highway, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Administrator also needs to weigh in.

This multi-agency approval process is designed to prevent headaches later, especially concerning traffic flow and road safety. But for the group trying to get the memorial installed, it means navigating three separate government entities before they can even break ground. It’s a classic example of how even a simple, well-intentioned project requires significant coordination across state and federal lines.

The Fine Print on Future Growth

One interesting provision in the bill deals with the long-term status of the memorial. The special use authorization granted by the Secretary can include any terms the Secretary deems appropriate—which gives the Forest Service a lot of power over the final details. However, there is one non-negotiable term: the authorization must include a provision that prevents the memorial from being enlarged or expanded in the future.

This clause is likely intended to protect the integrity of the National Forest System land and prevent 'memorial creep,' where small tributes slowly grow into larger installations. For the families involved, it means that while they gain a permanent, public location, they are locked into the current size and scope forever. The policy sets a clear boundary: this is the space, and it won't get bigger.