Kentucky Waterways Alliance

06/15/2026

‼️How to Support the Ohio River Restoration Program Act‼️:
❓WHY NOW? We have a window in June to potentially move this bill forward and need your help to make a strong show of support to build momentum and encourage congressional action.
💦BACKGROUND: The bipartisan Ohio River Restoration Program Act introduced in both the House of Representatives (H.R. 5966) and the Senate (S.3796), would establish a non-regulatory restoration program – the first-ever national program dedicated to the Ohio River basin – authorizing $350 million per year through 2030 to go toward clean up and restoration in the Ohio River and the rivers that feed it. 97% of Kentucky's waterways drain to the Ohio River so this program benefits both the environment and economy across the Commonwealth by providing resources to restore wildlife habitat, improve flood resilience, and clean up pollution that contaminates drinking water.
❓Are Kentucky's Representatives and Senators sponsoring the legislation?
💦H.R.5966: Rep. Morgan McGarvey [D-KY-3] introduced the bill, but it has no other cosponsors from Kentucky. Eight democrats and seven republicans from other states are sponsors.
💦S.3796: Currently neither of Kentucky's Senators are sponsors of the bill. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) and Senator Todd Young (R-IN) introduced the legislation.
‼️What YOU can do today:
✅Send an email and make a phone call to Kentucky's Senators and your Representative in Congress.
✅Links to contact information for Senator Mitch McConnell, Senator Rand Paul, and your Representatives are in the comments.
📢What to say (please personalize):
Dear [insert elected official's name],
I support the advancement of the bipartisan Ohio River Restoration Program Act (H.R. 5966, S.3796) and ask that you do the same. The bill will protect and restore waters across Kentucky and a 15-state region – without new regulations or taxes. Kentucky's waters face serious threats that need to be addressed now, before the problems get worse and more expensive to fix. The legislation invests in solutions that can protect Kentucky's drinking water, health, jobs, and quality of life. Thank you, [Name, address]

06/11/2026

‼️The EPA wants to weaken and/or eliminate rules that protect clean water and our families health.

⛔️What's at Stake: For decades, coal companies and power plants have dumped billions of tons of toxic contaminated coal ash into leaking ponds, landfills, and ground pits in Kentucky and across the United States. In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency established and strengthened regulations, but now they are proposing rolling back regulations that protect the health of our families and the clean water we depend on for drinking, farming, recreation, and a healthy economy.

There are 3️⃣ EPA regulations that are facing rollbacks with 3️⃣ different deadlines for submitting comments.

✅Click on the link below to tell the EPA to protect people from contaminated coal ash that will make our families sick.

🚨June 12: EPA Proposes to weaken disposal rules for solid coal ash waste that contains lead, arsenic, and mercury that could result in contamination of groundwater(Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals). Comment here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/13/2026-07061/hazardous-and-solid-waste-management-system-disposal-of-coal-combustion-residuals-from-electric
🚨June 17: EPA is proposing to weaken safeguards for contaminated liquid run-off from coal ash (Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards). Comment here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/18/2026-09895/effluent-limitations-guidelines-and-standards-for-the-steam-electric-power-generating-point-source
🚨June 29: EPA proposes changes to Federal Coal Combustion Residuals Permit Program for coal ash sites, allowing coal industry, power companies, and states to monitor themselves. Comment here: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OLEM-2019-0361/document?withinCommentPeriod=true

06/11/2026

Summer days = lots of time in and near the water. Read KWA’s June Newsletter to learn about protecting the places where we swim, fish, paddle, boat, and that supply our drinking water! Link in comments.
💦How to support the Ohio River Restoration Program Act.
💦How to tell the EPA you oppose proposals to weaken protections from toxic coal ash waste.
💦Important waste water project funded in Hazel Green that will protect the Wild & Scenic Red River.
💦Call for proposals for KWA’s 2026 Kentucky Watershed Network Summit.
💦KWA is placing metal signage near local waterways, making it easier for the community to access the Report A Tire Tool.
💦June 2026 Tire Amnesty Days
💦KWA cleanups and workshops.

06/08/2026

A great opportunity if you live in the Louisville area!

Join us for a general chemistry and r-card training at the Jefferson County Extension Office on Saturday, June 13th from 10:00am to 12:00pm! Registration is required and can be found here: https://forms.gle/NXhxLysZjobMjXUv9

**Online training modules 1-5 must be completed before the in-person training**

06/07/2026

What a great day in Paducah at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. Thank you to all the volunteers who showed up to clean up, partners and sponsors including Fish Seaguar, Garner Narrative, Republic Bank, & Stantec!

🌊🗑️ A toilet seat, an incredible bird's nest, and a whole lot of community spirit.

Today's Four Rivers Clean Sweep was a great reminder of what can happen when people come together for a common purpose. We even had several volunteers register on-site and join the effort, helping us remove litter and make our riverfront a little cleaner for everyone.

A huge thank you to our partners: Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Tennessee RiverLine, Tennessee RiverLine: Paducah-McCracken County, Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and all of the volunteers who spent part of their Saturday making a difference.

06/05/2026

We are so excited about the 2nd Annual Commonwealth Splash Family Adventure Paddle on the Kentucky River in Frankfort on June 27th! This event is open to all and is perfect for anyone new to kayaking. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased by June 11th. Link to get your tickets in comments. Questions? Contact [email protected] or [email protected].

06/05/2026

Join KWA tomorrow, June 6th, at the River Discovery Center, to clean up Paducah’s river front!

06/04/2026

Looking to discard old tires? Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet offers Waste Tire Amnesty Days! During these events, individuals can drop off their unwanted tires at a specific location within their county at no cost. Check out the June Tire Amnesty Days and locations for Menifee, Owsley, Bath, Jackson, Montgomery, & Rockcastle Counties in the graphic. Proper disposal of waste tires prevents them from ending up in our waterways. If you SEE A TIRE in or near your local waterway REPORT A TIRE using Kentucky Waterways Alliance's online tool to help support removal and prevention efforts! Scan the QR code or use the link in comments.

06/03/2026

🌊 Paducah friends and neighbors—we need your help! 🌊We know clean rivers and being a good neighbor matter to you, so are calling on our community to join us for the Four Rivers Clean Sweep 🧹✨We will be cleaning up areas along the Paducah Creative City downtown riverfront, and we need hands on deck to protect our rivers!
📍 Where: River Discovery Center (117 S Water St. Paducah, KY 42001)
📝 Sign Up Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEamurEUFnFwhzFaAl-W8p7C9RdTigRGmAblrFZo5yRv6u7Q/viewform
📅 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Check-in and waiver signing, free donuts & coffee!
🙌 A Huge Thank You to Our Co-Hosts: Tennessee RiverLine: Paducah-McCracken County, Tennessee RiverLine, River Discovery Center, Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), Ohio River Basin Alliance, and 1 Mississippi!
📞 Questions? Contact [email protected].
Please SHARE this post to help us spread the word! Let’s work together to keep Paducah's rivers beautiful. 💙