Ohio River Restoration Program Act
Rep. McGarvey Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Spend $1.75 Billion Restoring the Ohio River Basin
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and is being reviewed by a House subcommittee. It is actively moving through the committee system, but no further votes or hearings have been scheduled yet.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill creates a new Ohio River National Program Office within the EPA to manage a large-scale restoration effort covering parts of 15 states. A Program Director would coordinate federal actions, develop plans, and work with state, local, and Tribal governments.
From policy text
“The Administrator shall establish an Ohio River National Program Office within the Agency to carry out the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program.”
View in full text - The program authorizes $350 million per year for five years (2026-2030), totaling $1.75 billion to fund water quality improvements, toxic substance cleanup, invasive species control, habitat restoration, and public recreation access.
From policy text
“There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $350,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.”
View in full text - Projects must prioritize natural solutions over man-made infrastructure. This includes restoring wetlands, removing old dams, and fixing culverts to let rivers flow more naturally and reduce flooding, rather than relying on expensive concrete structures.
From policy text
“Projects and activities carried out pursuant to the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program shall prioritize use of natural infrastructure, nature-based, and non-structural solutions to the maximum extent practicable”
View in full text - An advisory council will help select projects, with representation from every state in the basin, Tribal governments, and the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission. Projects must be spread fairly across the entire basin.
From policy text
“the selection of projects and activities that are equitably distributed throughout the Ohio River Basin”
View in full text - The Program Director must create measurable goals within one year and an action plan within two years, with updates every five years. Annual reports to Congress and the public will track spending and progress.
From policy text
“Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Program Director shall develop actionable goals for the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program, which shall be measurable and reportable”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
State Impacts
Milestones
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced in House
Related News
5 articles
Bipartisan Bill Seeks $350M for Ohio River Restoration
Lawmakers introduced the Ohio River Restoration Program Act to provide $350 million in annual federal investments. The bill would create an EPA office to coordinate habitat restoration and pollution prevention across 15 states, modeled after the successful Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Fetterman introduces Ohio River preservation bill
U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Todd Young introduced a Senate companion to the Ohio River Restoration Program Act. The legislation aims to establish a dedicated EPA office to manage the watershed, which provides drinking water for millions but currently lacks a dedicated federal funding stream.
Kentucky Democrat Morgan McGarvey says the Ohio River is the only major river that 'doesn't receive a dime' in dedicated federal funding
Rep. Morgan McGarvey is leading a bipartisan push for the Ohio River Restoration Program Act. He argues the river has been neglected compared to the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay, despite supporting 30 million people and a massive portion of U.S. river-based commerce.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Ohio River Restoration Program Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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