Sen. Lincoln Chafee. (Power Play).

Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.) is a leading environmental advocate in the Senate. In recognition of Chafee's record of environmental stewardship, NRPA will present him with the National Congressional Award during the NRPA Legislative Forum on Parks & Recreation, to be held Feb. 26-March 1 in Washington, D.C.

Chafee is a member of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, and is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Control and Risk Assessment. In that capacity, he sponsored and spearheaded passage of the Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act of 2001.

Brownfields are properties that, because of the real or potential presences of an environmental contaminant, normally lie dormant rather than used toward a productive end. The law that Chafee championed provides funding for brownfields assessment and cleanup. Specifically, it provides 8200 million per year, for Fiscal Years 2002-2006, for grants to local and state governments to assess and clean up contaminated brownfield sites. It also authorizes 850 million per year over the same period for grants to local and state governments to establish and enhance brownfields clean-up programs. Under the law, park and greenspace development are eligible projects for brownfields cleanup funding. For more information, see www.epa.gov/brownfields.

Here are some of Chafee's thoughts on the importance of his brownfields legislation:

"This has long been one of the U.S. Conference of Mayors' top priorities, because it will help thousands of communities across America. Today, hundred of pieces of otherwise valuable property are now sitting idle because of brownfield liability concerns. These unsightly, undeveloped properties provide nothing to a city's tax rolls, while acting as a breeding ground for crime, mischief and contamination. America's mayors know that brownfields redevelopment will carry a host of indirect benefits: city tax rolls will burgeon; schools will be invigorated; new homes will be built; greenspaces will flourish; and community character will be restored.

We stand to reap enormous, economic, environmental and social benefits with the successful development of brownfield sites. The redevelopment of brownfields capitalizes on existing infrastructure, creates a robust tax base for local governments, attracts new businesses and jobs, helps contain urban sprawl, reduces environmental and health threats, and preserves community character. This can truly be a victory for everyone.

Brownfields legislation is a top environment priority for Democrats, Republicans and the Bush administration alike. I hope that this bipartisan accord can serve as a model for future environmental legislation."

Each month, Power Play highlights the parks and recreation work of a person renowned in another field. If you know of a good candidate for this page, write to Scott Douglas at [e-mail].