What is the likely legal responsibility of a landowner who unknowingly purchased contaminated land?

The legal responsibility of a landowner who unknowingly purchased contaminated land often falls under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which holds parties liable for cleanup costs associated with contamination. Under CERCLA, a landowner can be deemed jointly liable with the polluter for the cost of cleanup, even if they were unaware of the contamination at the time of purchase.

This liability arises due to the principle of "strict liability," which is a central component of CERCLA. It means that individuals or businesses can be held responsible for environmental cleanup regardless of fault or intent. Thus, the law does not require that the landowner knowingly contributed to the contamination; their status as a landowner is sufficient to hold them accountable.

In this context, the other options do not accurately reflect the legal standards applicable to such situations. For instance, claiming no liability under federal environmental laws or an exemption under CERCLA does not align with the overall framework that intends to ensure responsibility for environmental hazards. Similarly, suggesting sole liability with no recourse against previous owners overlooks the potential for legal avenues to pursue recovery from those who originally caused the contamination.