What does the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) primarily address?

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as Superfund, primarily addresses the cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances and pollutants. The act was established to provide a federal response to the release of hazardous wastes and to ensure that responsible parties bear the costs of cleanup. It empowers the government to identify and manage contaminated sites and outline the responsibilities of various parties involved, including past and present owners of the property. Through CERCLA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can take necessary actions to protect public health and the environment from hazardous waste. This underscores the act's primary focus on ensuring proper environmental management and remediation rather than housing regulations, taxation, or permitting for real estate development.