Which of the following represents a key aspect of CERCLA?

The chosen answer emphasizes the foundational purpose of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which is primarily concerned with the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. Under CERCLA, the federal government is empowered to respond to environmental contamination and establish procedures for the assessment and remediation of contaminated properties. This includes outlining protocols for identifying pollutants and ensuring that contaminated sites are cleaned up to protect human health and the environment.

The goal of CERCLA is to facilitate the cleanup of sites that pose risks to public health and the environment, making the establishment of clean-up protocols an essential aspect of the legislation. This reflects the law’s intent to hold responsible parties accountable and to provide a mechanism for funding clean-up efforts when those parties are unable or unwilling to do so.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the fundamental objectives of CERCLA. Encouraging landfill expansions does not relate to addressing contamination issues, reducing environmental assessments contradicts the act's goals of thorough environmental protection, and limiting governmental authority over private property would undermine the very function of CERCLA, which seeks to enable governmental intervention in cases of environmental harm.