Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Kentucky, center, and Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Indiana, right, announce the Ohio River Restoration Program Act. (Photo provided)
A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress would create a new office within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address environmental needs of the Ohio River basin spanning 204,000 square miles.
The Ohio River Restoration Program Act would create a new office and program modeled after similar efforts in the Great Lakes region and the Chesapeake Bay area, says a release from Democratic U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Louisville. The office would work with states, local governments, tribal leaders and private groups to find ways to secure federal funding for the river basin’s protection.
McGarvey in a statement said he was proud to partner with Ninth District Republican Rep. Erin Houchin of southern Indiana on the bill. The representatives are co-chairs of the Ohio River basin caucus in Congress.
“From waste and erosion to pollution and climate change, the Ohio River is facing serious threats that aren’t going to just work themselves out and can’t be fixed by one person or organization alone,” McGarvey said in a statement.