What legislation includes provisions for the cleanup of hazardous waste sites?

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund, is the legislation specifically designed for the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. It provides the federal government with the authority to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that may endanger public health or the environment. CERCLA enables the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify parties responsible for hazardous waste releases and ensures that they are held accountable for cleanup efforts. Additionally, the act establishes a trust fund to finance cleanup operations when no responsible party can be identified.

Understanding the purpose and framework of CERCLA is essential in hazardous waste management, as it underpins the federal response mechanisms that protect public health and the environment from hazardous waste threats. Other legislation, while related to hazardous waste management in various capacities, does not primarily focus on site cleanup in the same comprehensive manner as CERCLA does.