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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2584
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A RESOLUTION endorsing the Ohio River Restoration Program Act to support 1
clean water, healthy fish and wildlife populations, economic develop ment, and expanded 2
recreation opportunities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 3
WHEREAS, the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, House Resolution 5966 and 4
Senate Bill 3796, has been introduced in the United States Congress with bipartisan 5
support; and 6
WHEREAS, the Ohio River is one of the most significant rivers in the United 7
States, with a watershed that spans 15 states and provides drinking water, recreation, and 8
commercial opportunities for more than 30 million people; and 9
WHEREAS, the Ohio River forms Kent ucky's northern border for approximately 10
664 miles, representing the longest Ohio River frontage of any state and touching 11
numerous Kentucky communities; and 12
WHEREAS, the Ohio River is a primary source of drinking water for hundreds of 13
thousands of Kentuck ians, serving public water systems that supply communities 14
throughout northern, central, and western Kentucky; and 15
WHEREAS, the Ohio River and its tributaries drain a substantial portion of the 16
Commonwealth's land and are critical to Kentucky's agricultura l productivity, industrial 17
operations, energy production, and municipal infrastructure; and 18
WHEREAS, Kentucky's river -based economy, which includes commercial 19
navigation, relies heavily on clean and reliable water supply, supports billions of dollars 20
in annual commerce, and creates thousands of jobs tied to manufacturing, shipping, and 21
related industries; and 22
WHEREAS, the Ohio River Basin supports a robust outdoor recreation economy in 23
Kentucky, including fishing, boating, paddling, and tourism activities t hat contribute to 24
local economies and improved quality of life; and 25
WHEREAS, the Ohio River is formed in part by tributaries that rise within or flow 26
though Kentucky. Pollution originating upstream or from within the Commonwealth 27
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directly affects drinking water treatment costs, public health, aquatic habitat, and 1
downstream communities; and 2
WHEREAS, despite its economic and ecological importance, the Ohio River 3
remains one of the most polluted rivers in the nation, and it continues to face challenges 4
related to nutrient pollution, toxic contamination, flooding, aging infras tructure, habitat 5
degradation, and invasive species; and 6
WHEREAS, House Resolution 5966 and Senate Bill 3796 would establish the Ohio 7
River Basin Restoration Program to improve water quality, increase flood resilience 8
through restoration of natural systems , protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat, 9
prevent and control invasive aquatic species, remediate toxic substances, enhance public 10
access and recreation, and improve outreach and education throughout the Ohio River 11
Basin; and 12
WHEREAS, the Commonweal th of Kentucky stands to benefit directly from a 13
coordinated Ohio River restoration effort through improved drinking water quality, 14
reduced water treatment and infrastructure costs, increased economic investment in river 15
communities, strengthened flood res ilience, and expanded recreational and tourism 16
opportunities; 17
NOW, THEREFORE, 18
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 19
Kentucky: 20
Section 1. The Senate hereby expresses its support for House Resolution 5966 21
and Senate Bill 3796, the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, and recognizes its 22
importance to the Commonwealth by protecting our drinking water supplies, 23
strengthening the economy, and restoring the ecological health of the Ohio River Basin. 24
Section 2. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 25
Resolution to the Kentucky congressional delegation. 26