Bipartisan bill seeks federal funding to restore and protect the Ohio River

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Despite the Ohio River's vital role in Kentucky's economy, it has never received federal funding.

More than 25 million people in the region depend on the Ohio River for their drinking water, health and jobs. That's why a new proposal is pushing to get the U.S. government's help.

The Ohio River is 981 miles long, but it was named the second most endangered river in the country.

"The view, the atmosphere," said Debra Schubert, who lives on the river. "The deer and the fox and beaver, we love it."

Schubert has lived along the river in Jeffersonville for a decade.

"We talked about moving, but the view and the serenity that we enjoy every day, to a cup of coffee or friends, having friends over, it's just too much to give up," Schubert said.

Almost 10% of the country's population live in the Ohio River Basin. But it is the largest body of water in the United States that does not receive any dedicated federal funding for clean up.

"It is surprising, very surprising," Schubert said.

Kentucky Rep. Morgan McGarvey, a Democrat, and Indiana Rep. Erin Houchin, a Republican, introduced the Ohio River Restoration Program Act. The river covers 55 congressional districts across 14 states.

"The fact that it's a bipartisan effort shows you that really, at the end of the day, most people, regardless of their political affiliation, want us to do better by the river," said Kristin Faurest, River Fields CEO.

The Ohio River Restoration Program Act was modeled after initiatives in the Great Lakes, the Chesapeake and other major bodies of water.

Faurest said the legislation would bring much needed federal funding and resources to support the ecological, economic and public health needs of the river.

"Our drinking water is dependent upon it, which means our health is dependent upon it," Faurest said. "Our children's health and their children's health is dependent upon it. So we hope that this will be a legacy project that will impact generations to come."

Schubert thinks it will help keep the river clean.

"Just cleaning up, we see so many things that come down the river," Schubert said. "There's some toxic things that get in there when we flood, or when it rains and there's more debris coming down the river. I worry about the toxins that are brought in."

With pollution prevention and clean water protection, the hope is the natural resource can continue to connect the area.

"We hope the river is healthy and provides the water and the transport and everything that it is used for, and continues that for years," Schubert said.

To read more about the Ohio River Restoration Program, click here. To donate to the Ohio River Foundation, click here.

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