Urge Congress to enact the Ohio River Restoration Program Act

scr19_02_AS

As Adopted by the Senate

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
S. C. R. No. 19

2025-2026

Senator
Wilkin

Cosponsors:
Senators Schaffer, Blackshear, Cirino, Craig, DeMora, Gavarone,
Hicks-Hudson, Ingram, Johnson, Landis, Lang, Patton, Reineke,
Roegner, Smith, Timken, Weinstein, Wilson

A
c o n c u r r e n t R E S O L U T I O N

To
urge the Congress of the United States to enact the Ohio River
Restoration Program Act to bring clean water, enhanced fish and
aquatic wildlife, economic benefits, expanded recreation
opportunities, and public health protections to Ohio.

BE
IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF OHIO (THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING):

WHEREAS,
The Ohio River is a major river in the United States, with its
watershed spanning 15 states and serving 30 million people; and

WHEREAS,
The Ohio River is 981 miles long and forms the entire 451-mile
southern border of Ohio; and

WHEREAS,
40 of Ohio's streams and rivers, fed by hundreds of tributaries, flow
into the Ohio River; and

WHEREAS,
The Ohio River watershed covers approximately 29,750 square miles
within Ohio, accounting for nearly 75% of Ohio's total landmass and
14.5% of the entire Ohio River Basin's drainage area; and

WHEREAS,
The Ohio River is a massive economic driver for Ohio, with maritime
commerce generating billions of dollars in business revenue, personal
income, and transportation savings annually. Cargo activity generates
about $26.5 billion in total economic value; and

WHEREAS,
Earth Economics found that the 68 million acres of natural ecosystems
in the Ohio River Basin provide at least $50 billion in public
benefits annually and a projected value of $1.17 trillion over 30
years; and

WHEREAS,
In 2023, the national nonprofit American Rivers designated the Ohio
River as America's second most endangered river; and

WHEREAS,
Degradation of water quality, harmful algal blooms, toxic
contamination, failing infrastructure, and flooding events pose
signification risks to public health, including threats to safe
drinking water, increased exposure to waterborne illness, and
elevated risks of respiratory and other chronic health conditions;
and

WHEREAS,
Investments in water quality improvement, watershed restoration,
green infrastructure, and toxic remediation will reduce public health
risks, lower long-term healthcare costs, strengthen community
resilience to extreme weather events, and improve overall quality of
life for residents throughout the Basin; and

WHEREAS,
H.R. 5966 has been introduced in the United States House of
Representatives and S. 3796 has been introduced in the United States
Senate, both with wide bipartisan support; and

WHEREAS,
H.R. 5966 and S. 3796 create the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program
to improve water quality, increase flood resiliency, restore natural
systems, protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats, prevent and
control invasive aquatic species, remediate toxic substances, improve
public access and recreation, and improve public outreach and
education in the Ohio River Basin; and

WHEREAS,
Ohio will benefit from an improved Ohio River and its tributaries,
including improved drinking water, economic benefits to communities,
infrastructure investments, enhanced recreational opportunities, and
measurable public health protections; now therefore be it

RESOLVED,
That we, the members of the 136th General Assembly of the State of
Ohio, urge approval of H.R. 5966 and S. 3796, creating the Ohio River
Restoration Program Act, to bring clean water, enhanced fish and
aquatic wildlife, economic benefits, expanded recreation
opportunities, and improved public health protections to Ohio; and be
it further

RESOLVED,
That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly authenticated copies of
this resolution to the members of the Ohio Congressional delegation.