What does CERCLA stand for?

The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, commonly known as CERCLA, is a pivotal piece of legislation enacted in the United States in 1980. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the cleanup of hazardous waste sites and to hold responsible parties accountable for the contamination. This Act establishes a framework for the government to identify and remediate hazardous substance releases that pose a threat to public health and the environment.

The correct answer reflects the comprehensive nature of the Act, encompassing not just response activities to environmental emergencies but also the aspects of compensation and liability of potentially responsible parties. This structured approach further enables the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to respond swiftly and effectively to environmental disasters, ensuring that public health is prioritized and that the responsible parties contribute to the cleanup.

Other options present similar phrases but differ in key aspects that do not accurately represent the full title or scope of the CERCLA legislation, thereby failing to convey the intended legal framework and regulatory implications that address absolutely critical issues surrounding hazardous waste management.