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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2380
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A RESOLUTION endorsing the Ohio River Restoration Program Act to support 1
clean water, healthy fish and wildlife populations, economic development, and expanded 2
recreation opportunities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 3
WHEREAS, the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, H.R. 5966, has been 4
introduced in the United States Congress with bipartisan support; and 5
WHEREAS, the Ohio River is one of the most significant rivers in the United 6
States, with a watershed that spans 15 states and provides drinking water, recreation, and 7
commercial opportunities for more than 30 million people; and 8
WHEREAS, the Ohio River forms Kentucky's northern border for approximately 9
664 miles, rep resenting the longest Ohio River frontage of any state and touching 10
numerous Kentucky communities; and 11
WHEREAS, the Ohio River is a primary source of drinking water for hundreds of 12
thousands of Kentuckians, serving public water systems that supply communit ies 13
throughout northern, central, and western Kentucky; and 14
WHEREAS, the Ohio River and its tributaries drain a substantial portion of the 15
Commonwealth's land and are critical to Kentucky's agricultural productivity, industrial 16
operations, energy production, and municipal infrastructure; and 17
WHEREAS, Kentucky's river -based economy, which includes commercial 18
navigation, relies heavily on clean and reliable water supply, supports billions of dollars 19
in annual commerce, and creates thousands of jobs tied to ma nufacturing, shipping, and 20
related industries; and 21
WHEREAS, the Ohio River Basin supports a robust outdoor recreation economy in 22
Kentucky, including fishing, boating, paddling, and tourism activities that contribute to 23
local economies and improved quality of life; and 24
WHEREAS, the Ohio River is formed in part by tributaries that rise within or flow 25
though Kentucky. Pollution originating upstream or from within the Commonwealth 26
directly affects drinking water treatment costs, public health, aquatic habitat, and 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2380
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downstream communities; and 1
WHEREAS, despite its economic and ecological importance, the Ohio River 2
remains one of the most polluted rivers in the nation, and it continues to face challenges 3
related to nutrient pollution, toxic contamination, flooding, aging infras tructure, habitat 4
degradation, and invasive species; and 5
WHEREAS, H. R. 5966 would establish the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program 6
to improve water quality, increase flood resilience through restoration of natural systems, 7
protect and restore fish and w ildlife habitat, prevent and control invasive aquatic species, 8
remediate toxic substances, enhance public access and recreation, and improve outreach 9
and education throughout the Ohio River Basin; and 10
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Kentucky stands to benefit directly from a 11
coordinated Ohio River restoration effort through improved drinking water quality, 12
reduced water treatment and infrastructure costs, increased economic investment in river 13
communities, strengthened flood resilience, and expanded recreation al and tourism 14
opportunities; 15
NOW, THEREFORE, 16
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 17
Kentucky: 18
Section 1. The Senate hereby expresses its support for H.R. 5966, the Ohio 19
River Restoration Program Act, and recognizes its importance to Commonwealth by 20
protecting our drinking water supplies, strengthening the economy, and restoring the 21
ecological health of the Ohio River Basin. 22
Section 2. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 23
Resolution to the Kentucky congressional delegation upon its adoption. 24