FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

SEC. 502. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. (a) Findings.—Congress finds the following:(1) Few technological advances have transformed the world or our Nation’s economy, society, culture, and national character as the development of powered flight.(2) The industrial, cultural, and natural heritage 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 Dayton, Ohio, is the birthplace, the home, and an integral part of the future of aerospace.(5) The economic strength of our Nation is connected integrally to the vitality of the aviation and aerospace industry, which is responsible for an estimated 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 traditions of several generations.(7) The Department of the Interior is responsible for protecting and interpreting the Nation’s cultural and historic resources, and there are significant 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 entities 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 revitalization.(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 management option to increase 118 STAT. 3362 collaboration, promote heritage tourism, and build on the established partnerships 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 national 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, Incorporated, 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 Aviation Heritage”, “Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park Suitability/Feasibility Study”, “Dayton Aviation Heritage General Management Plan”, “Dayton Historic Resources Preservation and Development Plan”, and Heritage Area Concept Study, demonstrated that sufficient historical resources exist to establish the National Aviation Heritage 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 significant 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, especially the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Ohio.(b) Purpose.—The purpose of this title is to establish the Heritage Area to—(1) encourage and facilitate collaboration among the facilities, sites, organizations, governmental 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 generations the unique and significant contributions to our national heritage of certain historic and cultural lands, structures, facilities, and sites within the National Aviation Heritage Area;(3) encourage within the National Aviation Heritage Area a broad range of economic opportunities enhancing the quality of life for present and future 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 integrated Management Plan to conserve their aviation heritage and in developing policies and programs that will preserve, enhance, and interpret the cultural, historical, natural, recreation, and scenic resources of the Heritage Area; and118 STAT. 3363(5) authorize the Secretary to provide financial and technical assistance to the State of Ohio, its political subdivisions, and private organizations, or combinations thereof, in preparing and implementing the private Management Plan.