Overview

Title

To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish an Ohio River Basin Restoration Program, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

H.R. 10432 is a plan to help clean up and protect the Ohio River and its surroundings by giving money to projects that improve water, help fish and animals, and fix flood problems. The plan will be managed by a special group that works with different government and local groups to make good choices and keep an eye on how well things are going.

Summary AI

H.R. 10432 aims to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to set up an Ohio River Basin Restoration Program. This program, led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is designed to improve water quality, enhance community resilience to floods, restore fish and wildlife habitats, and prevent invasive species in the Ohio River Basin. The bill establishes an Ohio River National Program Office to implement restoration efforts and coordinate with federal, state, and local entities, as well as Tribal Governments. It authorizes funding for various projects and outlines a plan for setting actionable goals, developing an action plan, and monitoring progress.

Published

2024-12-16
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Introduced in House
Date: 2024-12-16
Package ID: BILLS-118hr10432ih

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
3
Words:
2,421
Pages:
13
Sentences:
45

Language

Nouns: 829
Verbs: 167
Adjectives: 149
Adverbs: 16
Numbers: 52
Entities: 149

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.44
Average Sentence Length:
53.80
Token Entropy:
5.15
Readability (ARI):
29.71

AnalysisAI

Summary of the Bill

The proposed legislation, titled the "Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Act," aims to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act by establishing an Ohio River Basin Restoration Program. This initiative, led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), seeks to enhance water quality, protect natural habitats, and manage invasive species within the Ohio River Basin. It entails the creation of an Ohio River National Program Office, which will be responsible for developing and coordinating restoration activities across the Basin. The bill emphasizes collaboration between federal and non-federal entities, including Tribal Governments, local stakeholders, and non-profit organizations. Funding is provided to support a range of restoration projects, such as improving water management, increasing community resilience to flooding, and enhancing public access to the river.

Significant Issues

A critical issue arises concerning the legislation's provision for providing "such sums as may be necessary" for funding, which lacks specificity and could lead to unchecked federal spending. Without a cap or detailed budgetary guidelines, it raises potential concerns about financial oversight and fiscal responsibility.

Another major concern is the vague criteria for selecting projects within the program. The lack of detail in project selection guidelines could result in subjective decision-making and prioritization. Furthermore, the open-ended nature of grants to non-federal entities, including individuals, might result in favoritism or inadequate oversight.

The bill also does not specify clear metrics for assessing the effectiveness of funded projects. This absence of measurable outcomes might pose challenges in evaluating the success of community resilience and ecological restoration initiatives, potentially undermining accountability.

Lastly, the allowance for transferring funds between federal agencies without clear criteria or oversight mechanisms introduces risks of inefficient resource allocation, potentially leading to mismanagement or favoritism.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, the successful implementation of the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program could result in healthier ecosystems, improved water quality, and enhanced recreational opportunities along the Ohio River. These environmental improvements could bolster tourism and local businesses, leading to positive economic impacts. Healthier water systems also promise long-term benefits in terms of public health and environmental sustainability.

On the downside, the lack of precise funding limits could have financial implications for taxpayers. There are potential risks of inefficient resource allocation without stringent budgetary controls, which could ultimately translate into higher costs for the public without guaranteed returns on investment.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Environmental Stakeholders: Environmental organizations advocating for the conservation of the Ohio River ecosystem may view this bill as a significant advancement in preserving water quality and natural habitats. However, the absence of detailed success metrics may raise concerns about the program’s ability to deliver tangible environmental benefits.

Federal and State Agencies: Federal agencies involved in environmental and water management are likely to play key roles in the program’s implementation. The legislation’s flexibility in fund transfers could support inter-agency collaboration but could also result in coordination challenges without clear oversight.

Tribal Governments: The legislation includes engagement with Tribal Governments, offering them avenues to influence and participate in restoration projects. Nonetheless, ambiguities in stakeholder roles might lead to implementation hurdles or limited influence should their voices not be adequately integrated into decision-making processes.

Local Businesses and Communities: Enhanced water quality and better-managed river resources may positively affect local economies, offering opportunities for increased commerce and tourism. However, should resource allocation prove inefficient, these communities might not see anticipated benefits, particularly if funds do not directly support local projects.

In summary, while the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Act sets forth a potentially transformative initiative for regional environmental restoration, it also presents significant concerns regarding financial oversight, project selection, and accountability that must be addressed to ensure a balanced and equitable impact for all stakeholders involved.

Issues

  • The authorization of appropriations of 'such sums as may be necessary' in Section 127(e)(1) could lead to unchecked federal spending, posing significant financial implications for taxpayers and raising concerns about budgetary oversight.

  • The bill allows for the transfer of funds to other federal agencies without detailed criteria or oversight mechanisms in Section 127(e)(2), risking inefficient allocation of resources or favoritism, which may attract public and political scrutiny.

  • The criteria for selecting projects in Section 127(c)(5)(A) are vague and may lead to subjective decision-making, potentially prioritizing certain projects without transparent justification, which might concern stakeholders seeking fair treatment.

  • The bill does not specify measures to prevent wasteful spending or audit the effectiveness of funded projects as noted in Sections 2(e)(2) and 127, which could lead to ethical and financial accountability issues, attracting criticism from fiscal watchdogs and taxpayers.

  • The lack of specific metrics or criteria to evaluate the success of community resilience projects or ecological improvements in Section 127 suggests potential challenges in assessing the program's effectiveness, raising questions about accountability and oversight.

  • The broad authorization for grants to non-federal entities, including individuals, without detailed qualification criteria in Section 127(c)(4)(B), could lead to favoritism or lack of proper oversight, sparking concerns among watchdog groups and competing interests.

  • The lack of a maximum limit on grants awarded to non-federal entities in Section 127 could potentially lead to large sums being allocated to select organizations without adequate oversight, raising concerns about equitable distribution and accountability.

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The first section of the bill designates its official name as the “Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Act.”

2. Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section outlines the establishment of the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve water quality, protect natural habitats, and manage invasive species in the Ohio River Basin. It includes the creation of a program office and director, the involvement of federal and non-federal entities, and the provision of funding to support various restoration activities and projects related to water management, community resilience, public outreach, and ecological restoration.

127. Ohio River Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section outlines the establishment of the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program, led by the Environmental Protection Agency, to improve water quality, protect habitats, and enhance public access in the Ohio River Basin. It includes creating a Program Office, appointing a Program Director, and collaborating with federal and non-federal entities, with funding provided to carry out restoration activities aiming for measurable environmental outcomes.