What is the primary purpose of the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)?

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund, is fundamentally designed to ensure that hazardous waste sites are properly cleaned up and that those responsible for contamination are held accountable for their actions. This legislation empowers the federal government to identify and respond to hazardous waste sites that pose a significant risk to public health and the environment. It establishes a trust fund to finance the cleanup of these sites when responsible parties are incapable or unwilling to do so.

By holding responsible parties liable, CERCLA aims to encourage companies to manage hazardous waste more responsibly and to prevent future contamination. The act also provides a clear framework for federal and state responses to such environmental emergencies, ensuring that cleanup operations are both effective and timely.

Other options, while important aspects of environmental policy and regulation, do not capture the essential intent of CERCLA. They address other areas of environmental management and public health but do not focus on the accountability for cleaning up contaminated sites.