A draft waterways enhancement plan for 14 states was released today, June 5, 2025. Public comments are open through July 18.
The complete draft plan can be downloaded here.
Sixteen years in development, the plan has received input from state and federal agencies, non-profit environmental organizations, academia, and businesses, along with multiple public input sessions. CLA Executive Director Douglas Conroe has participated in the related NGO Coalition and has also served on the plan’s Abundant Clean Water Work Group.
The draft plan sets the stage for the creation of a federal Ohio River Basin Initiative, which will be similar in scope to the Great Lakes Initiative, the Chesapeake Bay Initiative, and several other similar federal programs. Most of Chautauqua County, including all county inland lakes, along with waterways in Cattaraugus County and nearby Warren, PA, are a part of the Ohio River Basin. Chautauqua County has benefited from Great Lakes Initiative Funding. This program will set the stage for federal funding to be available for Chautauqua Lake projects along with funding for other waterways projects throughout the region.
The draft plan is: HEALTHY WATERS, HEALTHY COMMUNITIES, HEALTHY ECONOMIES, A Collaborative Plan to Restore and Protect the Waters of the Ohio River Basin. Comments will be welcomed through an online portal at www.ohioriverbasinalliance.org.
Arrangements are being made to finalize the plan by late summer and present it to Congress at that time. A bipartisan congressional caucus is already actively preparing related legislation.
Download the Draft Waterways Enhancement Plan here: http://chautauqualakeassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Healthy-Waters-Healthy-Communities-Healthy-Economies-Draft-Plan.pdf
