In 1999, Senator Carl Levin and Senator Jim Jeffords, I-VT, formed the Senate Smart Growth Task Force. Since then, the bipartisan task force has grown to include over 20 United States senators.

The task force serves as a forum for senators interested in sustainable and sensible growth. Senate Smart Growth Task Force members have introduced many bills promoting locally driven, federally supported smart growth practices. Members also sponsor studies and host educational forums. In 2006, briefings included "Dependence on Oil: How Transit Can Help Americans Reduce Energy Consumption," which discussed transportation and development strategies that would reduce the nation's dependence on petroleum, and would encourage building in areas that already have existing infrastructure; and "Taking Action to Revitalize Communities Through Brownfields Redevelopment," which discussed the critical role that Congress plays in advancing community and economic revitalization.

Senator Levin received the 2002 Legislator of the Year Award from the American Planning Association for his work in protecting farmland, supporting brownfields redevelopment and co-chairing the Senate Smart Growth Task Force. In 2002, Senator Levin also received an award from the North Country Trail Association for his work in supporting recreational trails especially the 4,200 mile long North Country Trail.

At the request of task force members, the Government Accountability Office has completed several studies on the impact of federal policies and programs on land use patterns, environmental quality, and fiscal outcomes. These GAO studies include. Search GAO reports

• Transportation Planning: State and Metropolitan Planning Agencies Report Using Varied Methods to Consider Ecosystem Conservation. May 2004 [PDF]
  
• Federal Real Property: Vacant and Underutilized Properties at GSA, VA, and USPS. August 2003 [PDF]
  
• Community Development: Local Growth Issues, Federal Opportunities and Challenges. September 2000
  
• Environmental Protection: Federal Incentives Could Help Promote Land Use That Protects Air and Water Quality. October 2001 [PDF]
  
• Community Development: Extent of Federal Influences on "Urban Sprawl" is Unclear. April 1999 [PDF]
  

Members of the Smart Growth Task Force were the lead sponsors of the Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act that unanimously passed the Senate and was signed into law in 2002. This bill helps clarify the definition of brownfields and eligibility of sites for federal assistance. It also authorizes $200 million per year for brownfields grants.

In 2006, Senators Levin and other members of the task force introduced the Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act. This bill would provide local governments with increased accessibility to HUD's Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grants by allowing grants to be provided to communities independent from Section 108 loan guarantees and the related pledge of community development block grants. The bill also authorizes BEDI as a separate program within HUD and authorizes $50 million annually for BEDI. The bill has been endorsed by major organizations such as the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the national Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals, the National Association of Development Organizations, and Associated General Contractors of America, the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, the National Association of Home Builders, the Real Estate Roundtable, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, and the Environmental Bankers Association. In 2006, Senator Levin the cosponsors of this legislation wrote to the Senate Appropriators to seek $25 million in funding for this important HUD program.

Also in 2006, Senator Levin, along with Senators Jeffords and Chafee, led an effort to seek full funding for EPA's Brownfields program. For fiscal year 2007, 28 senators joined Senator Levin in requesting full funding for this program.

Senator Levin co-sponsored the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act. This bill, introduced by Senator John Kerry, D-Mass., would provide increased funding and funding stability for federal affordable housing programs. Senator Levin is also a co-sponsor of the Historic Homeownership Assistance Act to provide tax credits for people who rehabilitate historic homes.

Senator Levin is a vocal supporter of funding for the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Program. UPARR is a small but important program within the National Park Service. Its grant programs help support park and recreation facilities in under-served communities. Michigan communities such as Flint , Muskegon Heights and Detroit have benefited in recent years from the UPARR program.

Senator Levin co-sponsored the Post Office Community Partnership Act, a bill introduced by Senator Max Baucus, D-MT. The bill provides local communities a greater say in USPS decisions to relocate or close post offices or construct new post offices. It would also require the USPS to coordinate their projects with local zoning, environmental and historic preservation laws.

Senator Levin was one of the original co-sponsors of the Commuters Benefit Equity Act, which would raise the tax benefits for using transit services and provide equity with the tax deductions for employer supported parking. Senator Levin also is working to improve roads and transit services. He co-sponsored the High Speed Rail Investment Act, and actively supports the development of efficient high speed rail services for Michigan. Senator Paul Sarbanes, D-MD, has introduced, and Senator Levin co-sponsored, the Transit in Parks Act. This bill will provide increased funding for transit projects that relieve congestion in our increasingly popular national parks. He also is a strong supporter of maintaining funding for Amtrak.

As co-chair of the Task Force, Senator Levin has initiated many "Dear Colleague" letters informing his Senate colleagues about issues related to urban development and smart growth. The senator has hosted numerous briefings on smart growth topics.

For more information on smart growth, please visit Smart Growth America .