Who Is Responsible For Cleanup Under CERCLA? What is CERCLA? The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 1) The purpose of CERCLA is to make owners and operators of hazardous waste dump sites and contaminated areas, as well as their customers, responsible for cleanup costs and property damage. 2) CERCLA is also referred to as THE SUPERFUND. It is authorized to a level of 8.5 billion dollars. The funding for CERCLA comes 87% from taxes on the chemical industry and 13% from general revenues of the federal government. Who is responsible? After a hazardous waste site is identified, CERCLA places ultimate cleanup respon