Which legislation holds current owners responsible for environmental violations committed by previous owners?

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) is the correct legislation that holds current owners responsible for environmental violations committed by previous owners. This act, also known as Superfund, was enacted to facilitate the cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances, and it establishes a framework for liability regarding those cleanups.

Under CERCLA, current property owners can be held liable for the contamination on their properties, even if the contamination occurred before they acquired the property. This is significant because it means that individuals or entities purchasing land must conduct due diligence to ensure they are aware of any potential environmental issues, as they could inherit legal and financial responsibilities related to past contamination.

The act also provides mechanisms for the federal government to respond to hazardous substance releases and establishes a trust fund to help cover cleanup costs, which can further emphasize the importance of proper environmental management throughout property ownership.

In contrast, the other legislation options do not specifically impose liability for past owners' violations in the same manner. The Clean Water Act focuses on regulating pollutant discharges into water bodies, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess environmental impacts for proposed projects, and the Safe Drinking Water Act regulates the quality of drinking water but does not address liability for previous