Bill > HR5966

This bill establishes the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to comprehensively address environmental challenges in the Ohio River Basin, which spans 15 states. The program will be managed by a Program Director who will create and implement an action plan focusing on multiple environmental goals, including improving water quality, increasing community flood resilience, protecting wildlife habitat, controlling invasive species, remediating toxic substances, and enhancing public access and recreation. The Program Director will establish an advisory council representing federal and state entities, tribal governments, and regional commissions to guide the program's development. Projects will prioritize natural infrastructure and non-structural solutions, and will be selected based on criteria such as equitable distribution, measurable environmental outcomes, and potential economic benefits. The bill authorizes $350 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support these efforts, with the EPA able to transfer funds to other federal agencies and award grants to qualified non-federal entities. The Program Director must develop actionable, measurable goals, create a comprehensive action plan, and provide regular public updates and opportunities for engagement, with the program's budget to be submitted as a separate line item in the EPA's annual budget.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5966/all-info