Mr. Chairman, I am an original co-sponsor of H.R. 2869. This bill combines the brownfields provisions of S. 350 that unanimously passed the Senate on April 25, 2001, and the small business liability protection provisions of H.R. 1831 that unanimously passed the House on May 22, 2001. This bill is a good piece of legislation. It deserves the support of all members.

In the past two Congresses, members on this side of the aisle have put forward, and strongly supported, stand-alone brownfields legislation and targeted relief for small business. Those policies are contained in this bill. The passage of this legislation will help revitalize and redevelop our communities. Using the provisions of this bill, local governments will be able to obtain increased funding and remove urban eyesores and create new jobs. At the same time, risks to the public health from petroleum and hazardous substances contamination will also be addressed at these lesser-contaminated brownfield sites.

In the Detroit metropolitan area alone, which has been home to our country’s industrial strength for over 100 years, brownfields cover tens of thousands of acres of lands once occupied by mighty manufacturing facilities and thriving communities. Brownfields development is occurring in Michigan communities like Taylor and Monroe, as local governments, developers, and citizens are finding creative ways to rebuild our communities.

This bill maintains the policies of EPA’s current and very successful brownfields program. Adoption of this brownfields legislation is a top priority for our Nation’s mayors, who have testified that it meets all of their fundamental needs.

I congratulate Subcommittee Chairman Gillmor, Ranking Member Pallone, and our former Ranking Member from New York, Mr. Towns, for their hard work over several years on this important legislation.

I strongly urge adoption of H.R. 2869 as amended.