The need for strong scientific data is the driving force behind the Ohio River Users Program. This program was created as a mechanism to provide the necessary funding to perform needed water quality studies on the Ohio River. Studies are selected by the Commission to achieve and improve the understanding of the Ohio River, which in turn will assure that appropriate requirements are applied to river users. Studies are performed under the guidance of an Advisory Committee composed of representatives of industries, utilities and other river interests. Since the program’s inception in 1993, this innovative collaboration of diverse river interests have supported numerous studies to improve the scientific basis for water quality management decisions.