Which federal conservation act was passed in response to catastrophic environmental events like the Love Canal and Times Beach incidents?

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the correct choice as it was designed to address the management of hazardous waste and to reduce the amount of waste generated. The act emphasizes the importance of tracking hazardous waste from its creation to its final disposal, thereby ensuring that harmful substances are managed in a way that protects both human health and the environment.

The significant environmental disasters, such as the Love Canal incident, which involved the improper disposal of hazardous waste and its impact on local communities, drew national attention to the need for stronger regulatory frameworks. The RCRA, enacted in 1976, established a system for controlling hazardous waste and played a crucial role in addressing the challenges identified during these catastrophic events.

In contrast, although the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act enhances the Superfund program related to cleaning up hazardous waste sites, it specifically responds to emergencies after a site has been contaminated rather than being focused on the overarching management of hazardous waste. The National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act, while important in their own rights, focus on broader environmental policies and water pollution rather than the management of hazardous waste specifically.