Urge Congress to enact the Ohio River Restoration Program Act

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Shane Wilkin

Urge Congress to enact the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Act to improve water quality, ecosystems, public health, and economic/recreational benefits for Ohio.

Offered

#airandwaterpollutioncontrol #environmentandnaturalresources

Summary of SCR 19 (136th General Assembly, Ohio)

Purpose

A concurrent resolution urging the United States Congress to enact the Ohio River Restoration Program Act (as currently referenced in federal H.R. 5966 and S. 3796) to bring comprehensive benefits to Ohio related to water quality, ecology, economy, recreation, and public health.

The resolution aligns Ohio’s state legislature with bipartisan federal bills aimed at creating a federal program to restore and protect the Ohio River Basin.

Background and Context Highlighted

The Ohio River watershed spans 15 states and serves about 30 million people; the river itself is 981 miles long and forms Ohio’s southern border.

Approximately 40 streams and rivers feed into the Ohio River, with Ohio’s portion of the basin covering about 29,750 square miles (roughly 75% of Ohio’s landmass and 14.5% of the basin’s drainage area in the state’s context).

The Ohio River is a major economic engine for Ohio, including billions in maritime-related economic activity; cargo activity is valued at about $26.5 billion in total economic value.

Natural ecosystems within the basin are valued by Earth Economics at substantial public benefits—potentially $50 billion annually and a projected $1.17 trillion over 30 years.

In 2023, the Ohio River was designated by American Rivers as America’s second most endangered river, underscoring the need for restoration and protection measures.

The resolution emphasizes public health risks from water quality degradation, algal blooms, toxic contamination, and infrastructure challenges, and asserts that restoration investments can reduce health risks and enhance resilience.

Key Provisions and Requests

The resolution endorses H.R. 5966 (House) and S. 3796 (Senate), creating the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Act.

Program goals described in the bill include:

Improving water quality and flood resiliency
Restoring natural systems
Protecting and restoring fish and wildlife habitats
Preventing and controlling invasive aquatic species
Remediating toxic substances
Enhancing public access, recreation, and outreach/education

The resolution frames these federal efforts as delivering benefits to Ohio, such as better drinking water, economic gains for communities, infrastructure investment, expanded recreational opportunities, and stronger public health protections.

Who Would Be Affected

Ohio residents and communities benefiting from cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and improved public health protections.

Local economies and infrastructure through flood resilience and recreation-related economic activity.

The Ohio Congressional delegation, which is urged to support and advance the federal programs.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

The resolution was introduced in the Ohio Senate and referred to a committee as of March 25, 2026.

It is a symbolic/public-endorsement measure urging federal action, not a law or rule with immediate regulatory effect in Ohio.

The resolution expresses concurrence with the stated federal bills and directs the Clerk of the Senate to transmit copies to Ohio’s congressional delegation.

Sponsor

Co-sponsor: Senator Shane Wilkin

Bottom Line

SCR 19 serves as an official encouragement from Ohio’s General Assembly for Congress to enact a federal initiative—the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Act—to achieve cleaner water, ecological restoration, economic benefits, enhanced recreation, and improved public health across Ohio and the broader Ohio River Basin.