Ohio River Restoration Program Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5966
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-08: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-22T08:07:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Ohio River Restoration Program Act (H.R. 5966) aims to protect and restore the Ohio River Basin—a large watershed spanning multiple states—by establishing a dedicated federal program. It amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to create coordinated efforts for improving water quality, habitat, and resilience against environmental threats in this region.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of Program Office and Leadership: Creates the Ohio River National Program Office within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This office is led by a Program Director, appointed by the EPA Administrator, who coordinates restoration efforts, develops plans, and ensures public access to information via a website.
- Advisory Council: Forms a council with representatives from affected states, regional basin areas (upper, middle, lower), Tribal Governments (recognized Native American tribes), and the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission to guide program activities.
- Program Activities: Focuses on projects addressing:
- Water quality and safe drinking water.
- Flood and storm resilience, including natural system restoration.
- Fish and wildlife habitat protection.
- Control of invasive aquatic species.
- Cleanup of toxic substances.
- Public access and recreation that supports ecosystems.
- Data collection, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Public education and involvement.
- Project Implementation and Prioritization: Emphasizes "natural infrastructure" (like restoring wetlands or rivers) and non-structural solutions (avoiding heavy construction where possible). Funds can support planning, design, construction, grants, or agreements with federal agencies, states, tribes, local governments, nonprofits, universities, or individuals. Projects must align with an action plan and avoid interfering with navigation or disaster infrastructure.
- Project Selection Criteria: Ensures equitable distribution across the basin, measurable environmental results, economic benefits, quick implementation, and reduced overlap with other programs.
- Actionable Goals and Action Plan: Within one year of enactment, develop measurable goals for ecological health and resilience. Within two years, create a detailed action plan including existing programs, recommendations for large-scale restoration, multi-year objectives, timelines, costs, and monitoring. Update every five years with public input and council consultation.
- Reporting and Funding: Requires annual reports to Congress on progress, coordination, funds, grants, and projects. Authorizes $350 million annually from fiscal years 2026 to 2030, with options to transfer funds or form agreements with other federal agencies. Includes a separate budget line item for the program.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill adds a new Section 127 to Title I of the Clean Water Act, introducing a basin-specific restoration program modeled after similar efforts for other U.S. waterways (e.g., Great Lakes or Chesapeake Bay). It expands EPA's role in coordinating multi-state, tribal, and local efforts, mandates new planning and reporting requirements, and provides dedicated funding not previously allocated for the Ohio River Basin. Unlike general Clean Water Act provisions, it prioritizes nature-based solutions and equitable project distribution.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases EPA's workload for coordination and administration but enables fund transfers to agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs or Army Corps of Engineers, streamlining restoration across federal programs. States and tribes gain access to grants, potentially reducing duplication in water management.
- On Citizens: Improves water quality and drinking water safety for over 25 million people in the basin, enhances flood protection, boosts recreation opportunities, and supports local economies through habitat restoration and jobs in environmental projects.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the program is domestic and focused on U.S. states and tribes; however, it could indirectly benefit shared border waters with Canada (e.g., via New York).
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: EPA (lead agency), Army Corps of Engineers (navigation and infrastructure), Bureau of Indian Affairs (tribal coordination).
- State and Local Governments: The 15 "Ohio River States" (Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, New York, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina), including local entities for project implementation.
- Tribal Governments: Recognized tribes in the basin, consulted early and ongoing for priorities.
- Other Groups: Nonprofits, universities, regional commissions (e.g., Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission), communities in the basin, and industries reliant on clean water (e.g., agriculture, fishing, recreation).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens enforcement of Clean Water Act goals through targeted funding and planning, potentially enabling more lawsuits or compliance actions for pollution in the basin. Grant authority expands EPA's partnerships but requires compatibility with existing federal projects, avoiding conflicts under laws like the Endangered Species Act.
- Constitutional: Involves federal spending and coordination in areas traditionally managed by states (e.g., water resources), raising questions of federalism but supported by Congress's commerce clause authority over interstate waters. Tribal consultation aligns with federal trust responsibilities to Native American tribes.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from Democrats and Republicans) signals broad support for regional environmental initiatives. The program's focus on measurable outcomes and public engagement could influence future appropriations, emphasizing economic co-benefits alongside ecology in a politically divided Congress.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]
Cosponsors (16)
Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-08: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 2025-11-07: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-11-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Ohio River Restoration Program Act — issued 2025-11-07 — PDF (13 pages)