Ohio River Restoration Program Act

The Ohio River Restoration Program Act proposes to create a dedicated federal framework to address environmental and economic challenges across the 14-state Ohio River Basin. If enacted, the bill would establish an Ohio River National Program Office within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This office would be responsible for coordinating restoration efforts among state and local governments, Tribal nations, and nonprofit organizations, similar to existing federal programs for the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay.

The legislation aims to authorize up to $350 million in federal funding for a variety of projects intended to improve the health of the waterway. These initiatives would include restoring wildlife habitats, controlling invasive species, and implementing farm conservation practices to reduce runoff. The bill also proposes to enhance pollution prevention measures and expand water quality monitoring to ensure safer drinking water for the more than 25 million people who rely on the basin.

Beyond environmental protection, the bill seeks to support local economies by investing in workforce development and job training related to water restoration. It also proposes policies to help communities become more resilient against extreme storms and flooding. By providing the first-ever dedicated federal funding for the Ohio River, the bill aims to safeguard a vital transportation corridor and economic engine that supports hundreds of thousands of regional jobs.