Final answer:
The Superfund program, aimed at cleaning up hazardous waste sites in the U.S., is part of The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), established in response to the need for a system to address contaminated sites that affect public health and the environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Superfund, established to clean up hazardous waste sites in the U.S., is a part of the important The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This piece of legislation, often simply known as Superfund, was enacted by Congress in 1980 in response to the growing need for a federal program to clean up hazardous waste sites, such as the infamous Love Canal disaster. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), on the other hand, is more focused on the management of hazardous waste from its inception to its final disposal (often referred to as the 'cradle to grave' management system).
When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1970, it was given the authority to enforce environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. The creation of Superfund under CERCLA broadened the EPA's mandate, allowing it to address contaminated sites that presented a risk to public health and the environment. CERCLA enabled the EPA to compel parties responsible for contamination to perform cleanups or reimburse the government for EPA-led cleanups.
The correct answer to the question is: B) The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.