Bill Overview
Title: A bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to relocate a memorial honoring the 9 Air Force crew members who lost their lives in an airplane crash in the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests during a training mission on August 31, 1982.
Description: This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture to relocate a memorial in North Carolina honoring the nine Air Force crew members who lost their lives in an airplane crash in the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests during a training mission on August 31, 1982, with the consent of the owner of the private land where the memorial is currently located.
Sponsors: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Target Audience
Population: people connected to the 9 deceased Air Force crew members involved in the 1982 crash and the local community near Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The memorial currently resides on private land, meaning any relocation would need the consent of the landowner, thereby impacting them.
- Relatives and friends of the nine Air Force crew members may have personal and emotional ties to the location of the memorial and may be affected by its relocation.
- Local communities and visitors to the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests may notice changes in landmarks and historical markers.
- Air Force veterans and current members, especially those tied to the deceased or the mission, may have an interest in the memorial’s location.
Reasoning
- The policy affects a niche population with emotional and historical ties to the memorial. Given the specificity of the affected group, broad impact across general populations is likely negligible. Target population includes relatives of the deceased, local community members, and Air Force veterans and families.
- Budget constraints mean that effects should be particularly focused on emotional and cultural well-being of the impacted group rather than any widespread economic or infrastructure changes.
- Given this context, the policy is likely to influence subjective well-being through preservation of memory and respect for the history, rather than direct material impacts.
Simulated Interviews
School Teacher (Asheville, NC)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think moving the memorial could make it more accessible and more people would learn about this history.
- However, it feels like an important part of our local history and should stay close to where it happened.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Retired Air Force Veteran (Chicago, IL)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I would like the memorial to be in a place that respects the sacrifice made by my fellow Air Force members.
- Being on private land complicates access and might not forever guarantee honoring those involved.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Library Assistant (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The memorial's history is vital to the local narrative.
- Relocating it might dilute the context where it happened, yet a proper spot could bring more educational value in a controlled, public space.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Travel Blogger (Columbia, SC)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a travel blogger, any change is content, but I do respect that there's an emotional charge to such places for those directly involved.
- New location could improve access and recognition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Software Engineer (Jacksonville, NC)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial that the memorial stays where it can be most respected yet accessible for anyone who wishes to pay homage.
- Support the relocation if it means safety and permanence of the site.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Environmental Scientist (Boone, NC)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the relocation harms local habitats or biodiversity, I would be against it.
- Relocations need to consider minimal environmental impact while respecting historical value.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Park Ranger (Charlotte, NC)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Ensuring respectful preservation in a suitable location could elevate the historical narrative available to more visitors.
- A relocation that's thoughtful and ensures continuity of memory would be beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
History Student (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Relocations present an opportunity to update and showcase historical significance fittingly.
- More than just memory, it’s about educating future generations without infringing on personal memories for those who lost dear ones.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Freelance Journalist (Knoxville, TN)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any relocation covered would have to ensure the truth and integrity of the history told in the memorial's story.
- It should serve both as a wake-up to respect the space it’s going to define and share the sorrow and courage surrounding it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Military Historian (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 35 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The choice of location and the reasons behind are as significant as the stories behind them.
- It’s always essential that the reverence for and understanding of this potentially overlooked moment in our military history isn't lost during transitions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $600000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- This is a sensitive issue involving commemoration of military personnel, requiring careful handling with respect to the families and veterans.
- Consent from the landowner is crucial for the relocation, which could delay or alter cost projections.
- Potential public and environmental reviews related to new site selection.