Restoration Plan Public Comment

Public Comment Form:

Ohio River Basin Restoration and Protection Plan
This online portal is designed to let you submit comments on the report, “Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities, Healthy Economies: A Collaborative Plan to Restore and Protect the Waters of the Ohio River Basin.” View the report here.

This portal will close on Friday, July 18, at 6 p.m. Eastern, 5 p.m. Central.

Feedback will be thoughtfully considered for integration into the final report.

To submit comments via email, please send an email with subject line “COMMENTS-ORB Plan” to lorentzc@thomasmore.edu or Lubetkin@nwf.org. Questions may be addressed to either email address as well with the subject line “QUESTION-ORB Plan.”

Click here to read the plan.
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1.1 If you have pre-written comments, please upload them here.

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The Ohio River Basin (the basin) is a vast network of rivers, streams, and wetlands stretching across parts of 14 states providing drinking water, ecosystem services, economic opportunities and world-class recreation. Further, these interconnected waters define the region culturally and economically. Despite its importance as a resource for the millions of people who rely on it, the Ohio River Basin has historically faced challenges related to water quality and public health.

Please rate the importance of the following topic, and if you'd like, provide more specific brief comments on each. There will be space later for longer comments. For additional information about each topic, please refer to the report:
2.1 Inadequate Water Infrastructure. (Summary: Communities across the Ohio River Basin face aging, undersized, or failing drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems that limit their ability to protect public health and support local economies.)

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2.1 Inadequate Water Infrastructure - Comments
2.2 Toxic Pollution. (Summary: Legacy industrial activity and modern contaminants like PFAS have created widespread pollution in soil and water with ongoing risks to human health, wildlife, and ecological integrity.)

Not at all importantSomewhat importantNeutralImportantVery Important
2.2 Toxic Pollution - Comments
2.3 Nonpoint Source Pollution. (Summary: Runoff from agriculture, forestry, and urban development continues to deliver excess nutrients, sediment, and other contaminants into waterways, degrading water quality across the basin.)

Not at all importantSomewhat importantNeutralImportantVery Important
2.3 Nonpoint Source Pollution - Comments
2.4 Mining Legacy. (Summary: Historical coal mining and current mineral extraction have left behind acid mine drainage, heavy metals, and unstable landscapes that continue to affect stream health and wildlife habitat.)

Not at all importantSomewhat importantNeutralImportantVery Important
2.4 Mining Legacy - Comments
2.5 Hydrologic Modification. (Summary: Alterations such as damming, channelization, and wetland loss have disrupted the basin's natural water flows, increasing flood risk and impairing aquatic habitats.)

Not at all importantSomewhat importantNeutralImportantVery Important
2.5 Hydrologic Modification - Comments
2.6 Habitat and Species. (Summary: Native species and critical aquatic habitats are declining due to pollution, fragmentation, development, and barriers to movement like dams and culverts.)

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2.6 Habitat and Species - Comments
2.7 Invasive Species. (Summary: Non-native species like invasive carp and zebra mussels are altering ecosystems, outcompeting native species, and damaging infrastructure throughout the basin.)

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2.7 Invasive Species - Comments
2.8 Extreme Weather and Flooding. (Summary: Increasingly frequent and intense rainfall and severe weather events are increasing flood risks and threatening infrastructure, ecosystems, and public safety.)

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2.8 Extreme Weather and Flooding - Comments
2.9 Communities Impacted by Pollution and Environmental Harm. (Summary: Clean drinking water is a basic need, but right now, too many communities are dealing with health-threatening pollution. We need to ensure that the communities that have been harmed the most by pollution are prioritized when it comes to cleanup, and that the people who live in those communities have a voice in the solutions)

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2.9 Communities Impacted by Pollution and Environmental Harm - Comments
The report compiles recommendations for addressing the basin’s challenges. Please rate the importance of the following recommendations. For additional information about each recommendation, please refer to the report: click here
3.1 Investing in Solutions Commensurate with Regional Need. (Summary: The federal government needs to invest more resources in solutions that protect people’s drinking water, public health, and quality of life.)

Not at all importantSomewhat importantNeutralImportantVery Important
3.1 Investing in Solutions Commensurate with Regional Need - Comments
3.2 Coordinating Efforts and Resources at a Basinwide Scale. (Summary: Establishing a central coordinating office for the region will more effectively and efficiently manage restoration actions among federal, state, Tribal, local, and non-governmental partners.)

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3.2 Coordinating Efforts and Resources at a Basinwide Scale - Comments
3.3 Supporting Tribal Conservation and Clean Water Priorities. (Summary: The United States federal government per its trust and treaty responsibility to Tribal Nations has an obligation to protect Tribal resources which include waters within the Ohio River Basin.)

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3.3 Supporting Tribal Conservation and Clean Water Priorities - Comments
3.4 Engaging Communities in Solutions. (Summary: Public involvement in decision-making fosters trust, improves outcomes, and ensures that restoration projects align with the needs and values of residents.)

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3.4 Engaging Communities in Solutions - Comments
3.5 Preventing Additional Harm and Burden. (Summary: Environmental protections must be designed and implemented in ways that do not worsen existing environmental problems or create new pollution or health risks for people and communities.)

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3.5 Preventing Additional Harm and Burden - Comments
3.6 Supporting Residents and Homeowners. (Summary: Homeowners and renters need access to reliable water and sanitation services, especially in areas where private systems like wells and septic tanks are failing.)

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3.6 Supporting Residents and Homeowners - Comments
3.7 Building Workforce Capacity and Spurring Economic Development. (Summary: Meeting restoration goals will require skilled workers, new training pathways, and new job opportunities related to water infrastructure and conservation.)

Not at all importantSomewhat importantNeutralImportantVery Important
3.7 Building Workforce Capacity and Spurring Economic Development - Comments
3.8 Prioritizing Data, Research, and Monitoring. (Summary: Improved data collection, scientific research, and monitoring frameworks are essential to track progress and adjust strategies over time.)

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3.8 Prioritizing Data, Research, and Monitoring - Comments
4.1 Please feel free to add any additional comments.
4.2 END OF FORM - Please hit the "Submit" button below to complete the form.
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