What is the primary goal of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act?

The primary goal of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund, is to create response plans for hazardous substance releases. This legislation was enacted in 1980 to address hazardous waste sites which pose a risk to public health and the environment. It establishes a framework for the cleanup of contaminated sites and ensures that responsible parties are held accountable for the cleanup costs.

Under CERCLA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is empowered to respond to hazardous substance releases and to manage the cleanup process. This includes identifying and assessing sites, conducting necessary investigations, and selecting appropriate remedial actions to protect human health and the environment. The act emphasizes the need for well-coordinated response plans to quickly address incidents of hazardous substance releases and to ensure that contaminated sites are restored.

While the regulation of waste disposal methods, management of hazardous waste transportation, and promotion of recycling and waste reduction are important aspects of environmental protection, they are not the core focus of CERCLA. Instead, the act specifically aims to deal with the aftermath of hazardous waste contamination, making the creation of effective response plans its central objective.