Ohio River Restoration Program Act of 2026

Summary

The Ohio River Restoration Program Act of 2026 aims to establish a comprehensive program to protect and restore the Ohio River Basin, which encompasses portions of 15 states. The key elements of the bill are:

Purpose and Intent

• Establish the Ohio River National Program Office within the Environmental Protection Agency to coordinate restoration efforts across the basin.
• Create the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program to fund and implement projects that improve water quality, increase community resilience, protect wildlife habitat, control invasive species, and provide public access.

Key Provisions

• Appoint a Program Director to lead the Ohio River National Program Office and coordinate with federal agencies, state governments, tribal nations, and other stakeholders.
• Require the development of an Ohio River Basin Restoration Program action plan with measurable goals and timelines.
• Authorize federal funding for restoration projects that address goals like water quality, flood resilience, habitat protection, and recreation.
• Mandate annual reporting to Congress on program progress, funding, and project implementation.

Stakeholders and Impact

• The 15 "Ohio River States" that contain portions of the Ohio River watershed would be involved in the program through the advisory council.
• Tribal governments located in the Ohio River Basin would be engaged to ensure their needs and priorities are addressed.
• Residents of the Ohio River Basin, which is home to over 25 million people, could benefit from improved water quality, reduced flood risk, and enhanced recreational opportunities.
• The program could have far-reaching impacts on the ecological health and economic vitality of the entire Ohio River region.

Overall, the Ohio River Restoration Program Act seeks to establish a collaborative, long-term effort to revitalize one of the most important river systems in the United States.