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

The primary purpose of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) is to provide a framework for cleaning up hazardous waste sites. Enacted in 1980, CERCLA, commonly known as Superfund, was established to address the urgent need for a federal response to the risks posed by abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. This legislation empowers the government to cleanup these sites through the identification of contaminated areas, funding the cleanup process, and holding responsible parties liable for the contamination.

Under CERCLA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tasked with identifying significant hazardous waste sites and either directing or overseeing cleanup efforts. This framework is crucial for protecting public health and the environment from the dangers associated with toxic waste. Moreover, it establishes a mechanism for the federal government to respond swiftly to environmental emergencies, ensuring that affected communities receive much-needed remediation.

The other options focus on different environmental issues that are not the primary intent of CERCLA. While promoting recycling of hazardous waste is an important environmental goal, it does not encapsulate the core focus of CERCLA. Similarly, regulating pesticide use and overseeing air quality control pertain to other environmental regulations and responsibilities. Therefore, the emphasis of CERCLA on establishing processes for cleanup of hazardous waste sites defines its