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OHIO RIVER
BASIN ALLIANCE

Groups Urge Congress to Pass Ohio River Basin Restoration
Bill, Protect Drinking Water, Public Health of 30 Million People

The Ohio River Basin Alliance and the Healthy Waters Coalition delivered letter of support—signed by 120 organizations—urging Congress to pass the Ohio River Restoration Program Act.

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New Recreation Awareness Campaign

#OhioRiverBasinProud

Do you know that you are in the Ohio River Basin?

Ready-to-Go Projects

In December 2025, Representatives Erin Houchin (R-IN-09) and Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03) introduced the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, with 13 cosponsors on both sides of the aisle. Then in early 2026, Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) introduced a companion bill in the Senate. These bipartisan bills would create an Ohio River National Program Office within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), bringing together states, local governments, Tribal nations, and nonprofit groups to improve water quality, restore ecosystems, safeguard public health, and stimulate economies throughout the Basin. Towards this end, the Ohio River Basin Alliance is compiling a list of projects that could be implemented under the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Act and align with the goals of the program.

 

To add your work to the list of ready-to-go projects, please click the button below.

What We Do

ORBA is a collaborative, unified voice of stakeholders striving to sustain healthy ecosystems, thriving river communities, and vibrant water-dependent economies in the Ohio River Basin through advocating for dedicated federal funding for the region.

Who We Are

ORBA is comprised of over 800 members including professionals, academics, government officials, and interested members of the public. ORBA is led by a Board of Trustees, and consults with a technical committee of over 120 experts in the field.

Where We Began

ORBA began in 2009 as an outgrowth of the Ohio River Basin Summit co-led by Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

"Biodiversity in the Basin"
Photo Contest Results 

Congratulations to Marsha Williams for taking the winning photo for the inaugural "Biodiversity in the Basin" contest! Click the button below to view a gallery of many of the other impressive submissions received.


Ohio River Basin Restoration & Protection Report: A Case Statement for the Need for Federal Investments in the Basin

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On Thursday, June 05, the Ohio River Basin Alliance, the National Wildlife Federation, and the University of Louisville’s Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute released the Ohio River Basin Restoration and Protection Plan, a comprehensive report that recognizes the numerous environmental improvements in recent decades while calling attention to existing and emerging threats that command a basin-wide, collaborative effort to ensure drinking water, healthy ecosystems, and vibrant economies throughout the region. The report draws from the expertise of a diverse technical committee, including local, state, and regional agencies, academic institutions, industry, and non-governmental organizations, along with input from our Tribal partners and residents in the region who participated in community input sessions.

After a 65 day public comment period, nearly 1,000 responses to the report were gathered. Now, Ohio River Basin Alliance leadership are integrating public feedback into the next and final iteration of the report.


Thank you for your feedback!

In the News

Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District supports Ohio River Basin Restoration bill, conservation work expands in Washington

Marietta Times

May 12, 2026

Ohio River Basin Caucus Co-Chair Morgan McGarvey
View Full Story

Leaders urge Congress to focus on Ohio River

Outdoor News

March 24, 2026

Ohio River Basin Caucus Co-Chair Morgan McGarvey
View Full Story

Membership Map

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