What year was the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act enacted?

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) was enacted in 1980. This legislation was created in response to the increasing concerns over hazardous waste sites and the need for a mechanism to clean up these sites and address the health and environmental risks they posed. By establishing a federal program that authorizes the government to respond to hazardous substance releases, CERCLA laid the foundation for the cleanup of contaminated areas, enabling the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to oversee and enforce remediation efforts. The act also established principles for liability and compensation, ensuring that those responsible for environmental damage could be held accountable. Understanding the significance and timing of this act is crucial for those studying real property and environmental regulations, as it has lasting implications on property ownership and liabilities related to environmental contamination.