Over 30 million Americans across 14 states rely on the Ohio River Basin for clean water, economic activity, and farming viability. Yet the watershed faces enduring threats from industrial waste, abandoned mines, untreated sewage, and nutrient-laden agricultural runoff.

A coalition of environmental advocates, researchers, and regional partners has issued a 96-page draft restoration plan. The proposal outlines a coordinated vision for federal agencies to invest in water quality improvements, green infrastructure, and enforcement of pollution standards. It also recommends new funding programs and scientific monitoring to safeguard ecosystems and drinking water.

Key to the plan is the reduction of non-point source pollution, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fields. The draft calls for greater technical support for farmers, adoption of best management practices (BMPs), and incentives for buffer zones, wetland restoration, and soil conservation.

Climate change compounds the urgency. The region has experienced an increase in heavy rains and flooding, while deteriorating wastewater systems and contaminated Superfund sites place communities and food production at risk. The coalition argues that early investment in climate resilience is more efficient than post-disaster recovery.

The proposal includes the creation of a dedicated federal program to oversee implementation-similar to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and Chesapeake Bay Program. Supporters are urging Congress to back legislation that would authorize sustained funding and multi-agency coordination for the basin's long-term health.