I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 280
To establish the National Aviation Heritage Area, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 8, 2003
Mr. HOBSON (for himself, Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. REGULA, Mr. LATOURETTE, 
Mr. BOEHNER, Mr. TURNER of Ohio, Mr. TIBERI, Mr. NEY, Mr. BROWN 
of Ohio, Mr. OXLEY, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, Ms. KAPTUR, and Mr. 
GILLMOR) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Resources 
A BILL 
To establish the National Aviation Heritage Area, and for 
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
TITLE I—NATIONAL AVIATION 
HERITAGE AREA 
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘National Aviation 
Heritage Area Act’’. 
SEC. 102. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following:
(1) Few technological advances have trans-
formed the world or our Nation’s economy, society, 
culture, and national character as the development 
of powered flight. 
(2) The industrial, cultural, and natural herit-
age legacies of the aviation and aerospace industry 
in the State of Ohio are nationally significant. 
(3) Dayton, Ohio, and other defined areas 
where the development of the airplane and aerospace 
technology established our Nation’s leadership in 
both civil and military aeronautics and astronautics 
set the foundation for the 20th Century to be an 
American Century. 
(4) Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Day-
ton, Ohio, is the birthplace, the home, and an inte-
gral part of the future of aerospace. 
(5) The economic strength of our Nation is con-
nected integrally to the vitality of the aviation and 
aerospace industry, which is responsible for an esti-
mated 11,200,000 American jobs. 
(6) The industrial and cultural heritage of the 
aviation and aerospace industry in the State of Ohio 
includes the social history and living cultural tradi-
tions of several generations.
(7) The Department of the Interior is respon-
sible for protecting and interpreting the Nation’s 
cultural and historic resources, and there are signifi-
cant examples of these resources within Ohio to 
merit the involvement of the Federal Government to 
develop programs and projects in cooperation with 
the Aviation Heritage Foundation, Incorporated, the 
State of Ohio, and other local and governmental en-
tities to adequately conserve, protect, and interpret 
this heritage for the educational and recreational 
benefit of this and future generations of Americans, 
while providing opportunities for education and revi-
talization. 
(8) Since the enactment of the Dayton Aviation 
Heritage Preservation Act of 1992 (Public Law 
102–419), partnerships among the Federal, State, 
and local governments and the private sector have 
greatly assisted the development and preservation of 
the historic aviation resources in the Miami Valley. 
(9) An aviation heritage area centered in 
Southwest Ohio is a suitable and feasible manage-
ment option to increase collaboration, promote herit-
age tourism, and build on the established partner-
ships among Ohio’s historic aviation resources and 
related sites.
(10) A critical level of collaboration among the 
historic aviation resources in Southwest Ohio cannot 
be achieved without a congressionally established na-
tional heritage area and the support of the National 
Park Service and other Federal agencies which own 
significant historic aviation-related sites in Ohio. 
(11) The Aviation Heritage Foundation, Incor-
porated, would be an appropriate management entity 
to oversee the development of the National Aviation 
Heritage Area. 
(12) Five National Park Service and Dayton 
Aviation Heritage Commission studies and planning 
documents: ‘‘Study of Alternatives: Dayton’s Avia-
tion Heritage’’, ‘‘Dayton Aviation Heritage National 
Historical Park Suitability/Feasibility Study’’, ‘‘Day-
ton Aviation Heritage General Management Plan’’, 
‘‘Dayton Historic Resources Preservation and Devel-
opment Plan’’, and Heritage Area Concept Study (in 
progress), demonstrated that sufficient historical re-
sources exist to establish the National Aviation Her-
itage Area. 
(13) With the advent of the 100th anniversary 
of the first powered flight in 2003, it is recognized 
that the preservation of properties nationally signifi-
cant in the history of aviation is an important goal 
for the future education of Americans. 
(14) Local governments, the State of Ohio, and 
private sector interests have embraced the heritage 
area concept and desire to enter into a partnership 
with the Federal government to preserve, protect, 
and develop the Heritage Area for public benefit. 
(15) The National Aviation Heritage Area 
would complement and enhance the aviation-related 
resources within the National Park Service, espe-
cially the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Histor-
ical Park, Ohio. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this title is to estab-
lish the Heritage Area to—
(1) 
encourage 
and 
facilitate 
collaboration 
among the facilities, sites, organizations, govern-
mental entities, and educational institutions within 
the Heritage Area to promote heritage tourism and 
to develop educational and cultural programs for the 
public; 
(2) preserve and interpret for the educational 
and inspirational benefit of present and future gen-
erations the unique and significant contributions to 
our national heritage of certain historic and cultural
lands, structures, facilities, and sites within the Na-
tional Aviation Heritage Area; 
(3) encourage within the National Aviation 
Heritage Area a broad range of economic opportuni-
ties enhancing the quality of life for present and fu-
ture generations; 
(4) provide a management framework to assist 
the State of Ohio, its political subdivisions, other 
areas, and private organizations, or combinations 
thereof, in preparing and implementing an inte-
grated Management Plan to conserve their aviation 
heritage and in developing policies and programs 
that will preserve, enhance, and interpret the cul-
tural, historical, natural, recreation, and scenic re-
sources of the Heritage Area; and 
(5) authorize the Secretary to provide financial 
and technical assistance to the State of Ohio, its po-
litical subdivisions, and private organizations, or 
combinations thereof, in preparing and implementing 
the private Management Plan. 
SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS. 
For purposes of this title: 
(1) BOARD.—The term ‘‘Board’’ means the 
Board of Directors of the Foundation.
(2) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—The term ‘‘finan-
cial assistance’’ means funds appropriated by Con-
gress and made available to the management entity 
for the purpose of preparing and implementing the 
Management Plan. 
(3) HERITAGE
AREA.—The term ‘‘Heritage 
Area’’ means the National Aviation Heritage Area 
established by section 104 to receive, distribute, and 
account for Federal funds appropriated for the pur-
pose of this title. 
(4) MANAGEMENT PLAN.—The term ‘‘Manage-
ment Plan’’ means the management plan for the 
Heritage Area developed under section 106. 
(5) MANAGEMENT ENTITY.—The term ‘‘man-
agement entity’’ means the Aviation Heritage Foun-
dation, Incorporated (a nonprofit corporation estab-
lished under the laws of the State of Ohio). 
(6) PARTNER.—The term ‘‘partner’’ means a 
Federal, State, or local governmental entity, organi-
zation, private industry, educational institution, or 
individual involved in promoting the conservation 
and preservation of the cultural and natural re-
sources of the Heritage Area. 
(7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior.
(8) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The term ‘‘tech-
nical assistance’’ means any guidance, advice, help, 
or aid, other than financial assistance, provided by 
the Secretary. 
SEC. 104. NATIONAL AVIATION HERITAGE AREA. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 
States of Ohio and Indiana, the National Aviation Herit-
age Area. 
(b) BOUNDARIES.—The Heritage Area shall include 
the following: 
(1) A core area consisting of resources in Mont-
gomery, Greene, Warren, Miami, Clark, and Cham-
paign Counties in Ohio. 
(2) The Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum, 
Wapakoneta, Ohio, and the Wilbur Wright Birth-
place and Museum, Millville, Indiana. 
(3) Sites, buildings, and districts within the 
core area recommended by the Management Plan. 
(c) MAP.—A map of the Heritage Area shall be in-
cluded in the Management Plan. The map shall be on file 
in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service, 
Department of the Interior. 
(d) MANAGEMENT ENTITY.—The management entity 
for the Heritage Area shall be the Aviation Heritage 
Foundation.
SEC. 105. AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF THE MANAGEMENT 
ENTITY. 
(a) AUTHORITIES.—For purposes of implementing 
the Management Plan, the management entity may use 
Federal funds made available through this title to—
(1) make grants to, and enter into cooperative 
agreements with, the State of Ohio and political sub-
divisions of that State, private organizations, or any 
person; 
(2) hire and compensate staff; and 
(3) enter into contracts for goods and services. 
(b) DUTIES.—The management entity shall—
(1) develop and submit to the Secretary for ap-
proval the proposed Management Plan in accordance 
with section 106; 
(2) give priority to implementing actions set 
forth in the Management Plan, including taking 
steps to assist units of government and nonprofit or-
ganizations in preserving resources within the Herit-
age Area and encouraging local governments to 
adopt land use policies consistent with the manage-
ment of the Heritage Area and the goals of the 
Management Plan; 
(3) consider the interests of diverse govern-
mental, business, and nonprofit groups within the
Heritage Area in developing and implementing the 
Management Plan; 
(4) maintain a collaboration among the part-
ners to promote heritage tourism and to assist part-
ners to develop educational and cultural programs 
for the public; 
(5) encourage economic viability in the Heritage 
Area consistent with the goals of the Management 
Plan; 
(6) assist units of government and nonprofit or-
ganizations in—
(A) establishing and maintaining interpre-
tive exhibits in the Heritage Area; 
(B) developing recreational resources in 
the Heritage Area; 
(C) increasing public awareness of and ap-
preciation for the historical, natural, and archi-
tectural resources and sites in the Heritage 
Area; and 
(D) restoring historic buildings that relate 
to the purposes of the Heritage Area; 
(7) assist units of government and nonprofit or-
ganizations to ensure that clear, consistent, and en-
vironmentally appropriate signs identifying access
points and sites of interest are placed throughout 
the Heritage Area; 
(8) conduct public meetings at least quarterly 
regarding the implementation of the Management 
Plan; 
(9) submit substantial amendments to the Man-
agement Plan to the Secretary for the approval of 
the Secretary; and 
(10) for any year in which Federal funds have 
been received under this title—
(A) submit an annual report to the Sec-
retary that sets forth the accomplishments of 
the management entity and its expenses and in-
come; 
(B) make available to the Secretary for 
audit all records relating to the expenditure of 
such funds and any matching funds; and 
(C) require, with respect to all agreements 
authorizing expenditure of Federal funds by 
other organizations, that the receiving organiza-
tions make available to the Secretary for audit 
all records concerning the expenditure of such 
funds. 
(c) USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The management entity 
shall not use Federal funds received under this title 
to acquire real property or an interest in real prop-
erty. 
(2) OTHER
SOURCES.—Nothing in this title 
precludes the management entity from using Federal 
funds from other sources for authorized purposes. 
SEC. 106. MANAGEMENT PLAN. 
(a) PREPARATION OF PLAN.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date of the enactment of this title, the manage-
ment entity shall submit to the Secretary for approval a 
proposed Management Plan that shall take into consider-
ation State and local plans and involve residents, public 
agencies, and private organizations in the Heritage Area. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The Management Plan shall incor-
porate an integrated and cooperative approach for the pro-
tection, enhancement, and interpretation of the natural, 
cultural, historic, scenic, and recreational resources of the 
Heritage Area and shall include the following: 
(1) An inventory of the resources contained in 
the core area of the Heritage Area, including the 
Dayton Aviation Heritage Historical Park, the sites, 
buildings, and districts listed in section 202 of the 
Dayton Aviation Heritage Preservation Act of 1992 
(Public Law 102–419), and any other property in
the Heritage Area that is related to the themes of 
the Heritage Area and that should be preserved, re-
stored, managed, or maintained because of its sig-
nificance. 
(2) An assessment of cultural landscapes within 
the Heritage Area. 
(3) Provisions for the protection, interpretation, 
and enjoyment of the resources of the Heritage Area 
consistent with the purposes of this title. 
(4) An interpretation plan for the Heritage 
Area. 
(5) A program for implementation of the Man-
agement Plan by the management entity, including 
the following: 
(A) 
Facilitating 
ongoing 
collaboration 
among the partners to promote heritage tour-
ism and to develop educational and cultural 
programs for the public. 
(B) Assisting partners planning for res-
toration and construction. 
(C) Specific commitments of the partners 
for the first 5 years of operation. 
(6) The identification of sources of funding for 
implementing the plan.
(7) A description and evaluation of the manage-
ment entity, including its membership and organiza-
tional structure. 
(c) DISQUALIFICATION FROM FUNDING.—If a pro-
posed Management Plan is not submitted to the Secretary 
within 3 years of the date of the enactment of this title, 
the management entity shall be ineligible to receive addi-
tional funding under this title until the date on which the 
Secretary receives the proposed Management Plan. 
(d) APPROVAL AND DISAPPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT 
PLAN.—The Secretary, in consultation with the State of 
Ohio, shall approve or disapprove the proposed Manage-
ment Plan submitted under this title not later than 90 
days after receiving such proposed Management Plan. 
(e) ACTION FOLLOWING DISAPPROVAL.—If the Sec-
retary disapproves a proposed Management Plan, the Sec-
retary shall advise the management entity in writing of 
the reasons for the disapproval and shall make rec-
ommendations for revisions to the proposed Management 
Plan. The Secretary shall approve or disapprove a pro-
posed revision within 90 days after the date it is sub-
mitted. 
(f) APPROVAL
OF AMENDMENTS.—The Secretary 
shall review and approve substantial amendments to the 
Management Plan. Funds appropriated under this title
may not be expended to implement any changes made by 
such amendment until the Secretary approves the amend-
ment. 
SEC. 107. TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE; OTHER 
FEDERAL AGENCIES. 
(a) TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—Upon 
the request of the management entity, the Secretary may 
provide technical assistance, on a reimbursable or non-
reimbursable basis, and financial assistance to the Herit-
age Area to develop and implement the management plan. 
The Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative 
agreements with the management entity and other public 
or private entities for this purpose. In assisting the Herit-
age Area, the Secretary shall give priority to actions that 
in general assist in—
(1) conserving the significant natural, historic, 
cultural, and scenic resources of the Heritage Area; 
and 
(2) providing educational, interpretive, and rec-
reational opportunities consistent with the purposes 
of the Heritage Area. 
(b) DUTIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Any 
Federal agency conducting or supporting activities directly 
affecting the Heritage Area shall—
(1) consult with the Secretary and the manage-
ment entity with respect to such activities; 
(2) cooperate with the Secretary and the man-
agement entity in carrying out their duties under 
this title; 
(3) to the maximum extent practicable, coordi-
nate such activities with the carrying out of such du-
ties; and 
(4) to the maximum extent practicable, conduct 
or support such activities in a manner which the 
management entity determines will not have an ad-
verse effect on the Heritage Area. 
SEC. 108. COORDINATION BETWEEN THE SECRETARY AND 
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AND THE AD-
MINISTRATOR OF NASA. 
The decisions concerning the execution of this title 
as it applies to properties under the control of the Sec-
retary of Defense and the Administrator of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration shall be made by 
such Secretary or such Administrator, in consultation with 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
SEC. 109. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—To carry out this title there is au-
thorized to be appropriated $10,000,000, except that not
more than $1,000,000 may be appropriated to carry out 
this title for any fiscal year. 
(b) FIFTY PERCENT MATCH.—The Federal share of 
the cost of activities carried out using any assistance or 
grant under this title shall not exceed 50 percent. 
SEC. 110. SUNSET PROVISION. 
The authority of the Secretary to provide assistance 
under this title terminates on the date that is 15 years 
after the date of the enactment of this title. 
TITLE II—WRIGHT COMPANY 
FACTORY STUDY 
SEC. 201. STUDY AND REPORT. 
(a) STUDY.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct 
a special resource study updating the study required 
under section 104 of the Dayton Aviation Heritage 
Preservation Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–419) and 
detailing alternatives for incorporating the Wright 
Company factory as a unit of Dayton Aviation Her-
itage National Historical Park. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The study shall include an 
analysis of alternatives for including the Wright 
Company factory as a unit of Dayton Aviation Her-
itage National Historical Park that detail manage-
ment and development options and costs.
(3) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study, 
the Secretary shall consult with the Delphi Corpora-
tion, the Dayton Aviation Heritage Commission, the 
Aviation Heritage Foundation, State and local agen-
cies, and other interested parties in the area. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after funds are 
first made available for this section, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Nat-
ural Resources of the Senate a report describing the re-
sults of the study conducted under this section.
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