Collaboration
The Ohio River Basin Alliance is, by definition, a collaboration of government agencies, non-profits, higher education institutions, NGOs, consulting firms, and other organizations working towards our common goals of clean water. ORBA would not be possible without its many partners, namely the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). Read below to understand the many connections between ORBA, its partners, and its many active members including the Ohio River Way and the Kentucky Waterways Alliance, among others. Through work with these partners, and collaboration with members, ORBA strives to amplify voices throughout the Basin and advocate for water resource priorities in the region with a unified voice.
ORSANCO
Since 2009, the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission has been central to the Ohio River Basin Alliance by serving as fiscal sponsor, hosting ORBA's website for over 15 years, chairing several working groups, and serving as liaison to the Ohio River Basin states via the ORSANCO Commissioners.
USACE
In addition to being one of the founding partners of the Ohio River Basin Alliance in 2009, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assisted with the 2020-2025 Ohio River Basin Strategic plan and continues to be a crucial partner in our work to maintain successful commerce and safe river transportation while sustaining Ohio River Basin ecosystems and communities.
USEPA
The United States Environmental Protection Agency was one of the co-hosts of the 2009 Ohio River Basin Summit, from which ORBA developed. Since then, the USEPA continues to consult on ORBA's initiatives. Once passed, the Ohio River Restoration Program Act will establish an Ohio River National Program Office within the EPA to direct and implement projects funded by the legislation.
NWF
The National Wildlife Federation is drafting the Ohio River Restoration and Protection Plan, a document designed with community and diverse professional input, which will be used to guide the actions and priorities of the Ohio River Restoration Program Act designated funding. The Restoration and Protection Plan will open for public comment in June 2025.