The Ohio River Restoration Program Act establishes a new Environmental Protection Agency program to coordinate environmental restoration efforts across the Ohio River Basin, which spans fifteen states from New York to South Carolina. The bill creates an EPA National Program Office headed by a director who will develop a restoration action plan and coordinate projects addressing water quality, flood resilience, habitat protection, invasive species control, and public access to the river. The program will prioritize nature-based solutions such as restoring wetlands and removing dams to restore ecological function. The legislation authorizes $350 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to fund restoration projects carried out by federal agencies, states, tribes, nonprofits, and other qualified entities, with the EPA director selecting projects in consultation with an advisory council representing each Ohio River state and affected tribal governments. Within one year of enactment, the program director must develop measurable restoration goals, followed by a comprehensive action plan within two years, with updates required every five years.
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