What does CERCLA stand for?

The correct answer is the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. This federal law, enacted in 1980, is designed to address the cleanup of abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. Its primary objectives are to ensure that responsible parties are held accountable for the cleanup and to provide a federal funding mechanism for addressing sites that require immediate attention but where no responsible party can be found.

The term "Response" in the name refers to the actions taken to mitigate hazards and clean up sites, while "Compensation" signifies the law's provision for funding the cleanup efforts. "Liability" indicates the legal responsibility imposed on parties responsible for the contamination.

Other options use variations of the wording, but they do not accurately represent the official title of the act, which could lead to confusion about the specifics and purposes of the legislation. Thus, understanding the full name aids in grasping the act's significance in the context of environmental law and property management.