What was established by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)?

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly referred to as the Superfund law, was established primarily to address the cleanup of hazardous waste sites in the United States. One of its significant aspects is the creation of a fund, known as the Superfund, which is specifically allocated to finance the cleanup of sites where there is a release or threat of release of hazardous substances. This fund enables the federal government to intervene in environmental disasters, facilitating clean-up efforts at contaminated sites even when the responsible parties cannot be identified or are unwilling to take action.

The importance of this fund lies in its role in ensuring that cleanup operations can commence quickly and effectively, protecting public health and the environment from hazardous substances. This framework is essential for managing the consequences of large-scale environmental contamination, ensuring that there are financial resources available to address the urgent needs of such situations.

Other options reference areas that are indeed important for environmental regulation and protection but are not the primary focus of CERCLA. For instance, while hazardous waste management is a significant aspect of U.S. environmental laws, it falls under a different regulatory framework, such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Fishing regulations pertain to marine life conservation laws and do not relate to hazardous