The recent California Performance Review recommendations would result in the dissolution of state Air and Water Boards and the State Lands Commission. These changes would most likely produce policy and permit decisions that are less protective of the environment because the loss of these local boards will unavoidably reduce public participation. Resolution of competing interests would be far less likely to protect air, water, and tidelands against competing business interests if decisions are made behind closed doors. Replacing state boards that are currently structured to represent a variety of skills, knowledge bases, and viewpoints with state bureaucrats operating in a highly centralized executive branch will disempower Californian who cannot afford to pay expensive governmental affairs liaisons and lobbyists to advocate their interests.
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