Making Land Use Work: Rules to Reach Our Goals (Report #136, November 1995)
WP 6.1

As California's population grows at a staggering pace, concerns that regulations may be hindering the State's tradition of prosperity prompted the Commission to study the State's land-use policies. The Commission found that complicated and costly procedures are undermining the State's long-held policies advocating orderly growth. Four findings and four recommendations are made to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of project approval procedures. The Commission recommends that the State establish a single process for assessing proposals, reform planning laws to encourage local agencies to enact regional strategies, invest in infrastructure, and work pro-actively with all levels of government and the private sector to develop solutions to land-use concerns.

Timber Harvest Plans: A Flawed Effort to Balance Economic and Environmental Needs (Report #126, June 1994)    WP 6.1

In this examination of the State's current Timber Harvest Plan process, the Little Hoover Commission found that the process is complex, inequitable, and costly, producing frustration for administering state departments, the timber industry and environmental advocacy groups. The Commission also found that the process has not proven effective in achieving a sound balance between economic and environmental concerns. In response to these two key findings, the Commission proposes reform in eight recommendations designed to provide better protection for the environment while streamlining the process of timber harvesters, particularly those with logging operations that will have a minimal impact on surrounding ecosystems.

Beyond Bottles and Cans: Reorganizing California's Recycling Efforts (Report #125, March 1994)
WP 6.0

In this report the Commission makes two findings and nine recommendations to address the need for major streamlining and simplification of the beverage container recycling program (known as the AB 2020 program). The Commission found that the placement of overlapping recycling mandates in two separate agencies has resulted in duplication of work, public confusion and lack of effectiveness in implementing state policies. In addition, the complexity of the recycling program hinders its expansion, undermines cost-effective implementation and increases opportunities for fraud. The Commission recommends to the Governor and Legislature that a new comprehensive solid waste management program be established in Cal-EPA to bring both policy focus and program accountability to the State's recycling efforts.

Cal-EPA: An Umbrella for the Environment (Report #110, June 1991)

Cal-EPA was created to consolidate environmental programs and concentrate on vigorous enforcement of environmental regulations. The report discusses risk assessment activities, uniform permit processes, public involvement, and the advantages and consequences of bringing all environmental entities into Cal-EPA. In addition, the Commission addresses the short- and long-term costs and savings. The Cal-EPA report has seven findings and seven recommendations.

Report on California's Fish and Game Commission and Department of Fish and Game (Report #99, January 1990)

The Fish and Game Commission and the agency that carries out its policies, the Department of Fish and Game, have a broad mandate to protect California's natural resources. The key focus of the study is the capability and performance of both the Commission and the Department in meeting these increasingly complex demands. In addition to eight findings, the Commission makes 12 recommendations regarding the mandate of the two entities, their relationship and their performance relative to the needs of the State and the intentions expressed by the Legislature.

Report on Solid Waste Management: The Trashing of California (Report #96, July 1989)

California has a garbage crisis. With the entire state slated to run out of landfill capacity by the year 2000, there is a drastic need for state leadership, a move away from landfills and the aggressive pursuit of alternative disposal technologies. In addition, the Commission found that despite a state law that outlines an effective policy of solid waste management, California continues to rely on landfills to get rid of its garbage. The report's five recommendations include the creation of: a statewide program that makes source reduction the first priority; county programs regarding solid waste management; and a more effective lead agency on solid waste management.