In which year was CERCLA enacted?

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) was enacted in 1980. This legislation was created to address the cleanup of hazardous waste sites and to ensure that responsible parties are held accountable for environmental contamination. The Act established the Superfund program, which provides federal funds for cleanup efforts at sites where hazardous substances pose a risk to public health or the environment.

The significance of the year 1980 is tied to the need for a systematic approach to handle the growing concerns about toxic waste and its impact on communities and ecosystems. The enactment of CERCLA represented a pivotal moment in U.S. environmental policy, leading to increased regulatory oversight and the mechanism for funding remediation projects across the country.