Proposed legislation by Reps. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY) and Erin Houchin (R-IN) aims to empower the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to oversee the protection and restoration of the Ohio River Basin. Unlike other U.S. waterways, the Ohio River currently lacks dedicated federal restoration funding. The Ohio River Restoration Program Act would involve monitoring, habitat restoration, invasive-species control, and community support to address environmental challenges, including extreme weather impacts. The river is critically threatened, ranking as the second-most endangered waterway, heavily polluted by industry. A survey indicates strong public support for federal protections, with many relying on the river for drinking water.
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