(Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Corner - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

For generations, the Ohio River has been the pulse of our region. It powers our economy, supplies drinking water to millions, supports thriving communities, and defines who we are. Yet despite its immense, the Ohio River Basin has long lacked dedicated federal investment these great American waters deserve. Congress now has a historic opportunity to change that by passing the Ohio River Basin Restoration Act (H.R. 5966).

This bill takes the right approach. It creates a dedicated, EPA-led Ohio River Restoration Program, modeled after successful initiatives like those in the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay. A coordinated federal program can provide the scale, funding, and long-term commitment that protect communities while strengthening ecosystems. The need for restoration in the Ohio River basin is not just an environmental issue; it’s an economic one. Healthier waterways attract businesses, boost outdoor recreation, expand tourism, and support good jobs.

We must contact our state representatives today to ask them to support H.R. 5966. The Ohio River has carried out the weight of our region’s history; it should not have to shoulder the burden of neglect any longer. More than 25 million people depend on the waters of the Ohio River Basin. This is a call to action, asking Congress to pass H.R.5966 without delay. Our communities deserve a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient Ohio River Basin, and this bill is our best chance to make it happen.

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Charlise Robinson is Ohio River Coordinator, WV Rivers.