Kaptur Announces Over $32 Million US EPA Award for Lower Maumee River Sway Bridge Project

August 12, 2026 Press Release Toledo, OH — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Chair of the bipartisan House Great Lakes Task Force and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, announced that the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority has been awarded $32,343,000 through the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to complete remediation of the Lower Maumee River Sway Bridge Project. Congresswoman Kaptur has championed the GLRI since before its creation, and has worked with Presidents of both parties to ensure its continued funding levels. She continues to lead legislation to reauthorize the GLRI including the GLRI Act of 2025. “As the largest tributary to the Great Lakes, the Maumee River is a precious natural resource that we must strive to cherish and protect for the generations to come,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “With this major Federal investment, we return taxpayer dollars back home to Northwest Ohio to allow us to continue our role as stewards of the Great Lakes ecosystem and our mighty Maumee River. The health of our fresh water sources is vital, including that of the Maumee River which is the largest tributary in the entire the Great Lakes region. This is both an environmental and economic priority for our region, as our Great Lakes are home to thousands of unique plant and animal species and generate over $82 Billion in wages and 1.5 million jobs for the Great Lakes Nation on both sides of our northern border.” "We are proud to partner with the US EPA, Ohio EPA, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the City of Toledo, and the Great Lakes National Program Office on this transformational project," said Thomas J. Winston, President and CEO of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority . "This investment demonstrates a continued commitment to restoring one of our region's greatest natural resources while strengthening the Port of Toledo's working waterfront.” The award will be used to support the removal of tens of thousands of cubic yards of sediment from the Lower Maumee River between the Seneca Petroleum Marine Terminal and the Ironville Marine Terminal. This will be one of the largest sediment remediation efforts in Northwest Ohio. All dredged material will be disposed of within the Port Authority’s Confined Disposal Facility. The site has been designated as a priority for remediation efforts due to high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other contaminants. Produced both naturally and by human activity, PAHs have been linked to cancer, cardiovascular issues, and developmental defects. The Ohio EPA will also be contributing $1.75 Million to the project. The Maumee Area of Concern was designated in 1987 and spans across nearly 1,900 miles of streams and 45 miles of Lake Erie shoreline. Industrial and municipal development in the area has led to contamination entering the water, making it less safe for wildlife, recreation, and fresh drinking water. Federal, state, and local partners have joined hands on several projects to advance remediation and restoration efforts. Through her position as ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, Congresswoman Kaptur has secured millions of dollars of funds each year for Northwest Ohio wetlands and shorelines. In 2026 alone, this includes $17.6 Million for harbor dredging in Northwest Ohio, $3.4 Million for the Sawmill Creek Wastewater Treatment plant, and $795,152 for the University of Toledo’s research on harmful algal blooms (HAB). Congresswoman Kaptur remains committed to bringing new funds and Federal investment back home, to ensure your tax dollars uplift our communities. For more information on the Sway Bridge Project and the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project, you can click here . For more information on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and its efforts to restore the largest freshwater system in the world, you can click here . # # # Issues : Trade Jobs and the Economy