What is the primary purpose of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)?

The primary purpose of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) is to address liability issues related to hazardous waste sites and to provide certain protections for homeowners. Specifically, SARA allows for the possibility that homeowners may be released from liability for cleaning up hazardous substances on their property, particularly if they were not aware of the existence of those substances prior to their own discovery. This provision is important because it alleviates some of the financial and legal burdens that might otherwise fall on unsuspecting homeowners who could be held liable under earlier regulations.

In addition to this, SARA emphasizes the need for cleanup actions to be consistent and thorough while also enhancing community involvement in the decision-making process regarding cleanups. It also provides a framework for continued assessment and remediation of hazardous sites.

The other options focus on prohibitions or specific cleaning requirements that are not the main focus of SARA. Instead, SARA is primarily concerned with addressing liability issues to ensure that homeowners are not unduly punished for situations beyond their knowledge or control.