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Congress·In Committee·S. 3796

Senate Committee Reviews Ohio River Restoration Program Act, Targeting $350M Annually to Clean Up 15-State Watershed

Ohio River Restoration Program Act of 2026

about 2 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

Senate
House
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill creates a new program within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifically to clean up and protect the Ohio River and the many smaller rivers and streams that flow into it. It sets up a dedicated office to manage restoration projects across 15 different states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.
  • The program focuses on improving drinking water quality, protecting fish and wildlife, and helping communities handle floods by restoring natural landscapes like wetlands. It also aims to remove toxic chemicals from the water and stop invasive species from spreading through the river system.
  • If passed, the bill would provide $350 million every year from 2027 through 2031. This money would be used for grants to local governments, non-profits, and universities to carry out environmental projects that meet the program's goals, such as building nature-based infrastructure to prevent storm damage.
  • Within the first two years, the program must create a specific action plan with measurable goals. This ensures the money is spent on projects that show real results, like cleaner water or better public access for fishing and boating, while requiring regular reports to the public on their progress.
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Feb 5, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Feb 5, 2026

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 1 year of enactment

Program Director must develop measurable, actionable goals for the restoration program

The public gets to see and comment on the specific environmental targets the program will pursue, setting priorities for how billions in funding will be spent across 15 states.

Within 2 years of enactment

Full action plan with specific projects and timelines must be completed

Communities, local governments, and organizations across the Ohio River Basin will know which projects are planned and can begin applying for grants to carry out water quality, flood prevention, and habitat restoration work.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Ohio River Restoration Program Act of 2026

Bill NumberS 3796
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.