Sponsors (16)
The bill channels significant federal funding into Ohio River Basin restoration to improve water quality, resilience, local jobs, and Tribal participation, at the cost of higher federal spending and risks of unequal distribution, infrastructure tradeoffs, and administrative delays.
Ohio River Basin residents would see improved water quality and safer drinking water through targeted restoration projects and grants.
Communities (especially local governments and rural/urban areas) would gain increased flood and storm resilience via nature-based projects that restore hydrologic and ecological functions.
Local economies and small businesses near restoration sites would likely benefit from job creation and recreation-related revenue tied to funded projects.
Taxpayers would face increased federal spending of about $350 million per year from 2026–2030 to fund the program.
Rural communities, tribal lands, and under-resourced local governments risk receiving fewer or delayed benefits because competitive grants and prioritization criteria favor entities with application capacity.
Local governments and transportation/recreation workers could see project delays or tradeoffs when restoration work (e.g., modifying levees or dams) conflicts with navigation or disaster-risk infrastructure.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Establishes an EPA-run Ohio River Basin restoration program with a dedicated national program office and director to coordinate basin-wide water quality and ecosystem restoration projects. The program can award grants, enter agreements with federal and nonfederal partners, set measurable goals and a multi-year action plan, and is authorized $350 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030.
Introduced November 7, 2025 by Morgan McGarvey · Last progress November 7, 2025