HOLLEAThis Columbia Journal of Environmental Law Vol 35:1 3/4/2010 12:43:45 PM 127 Facilitating Monitoring, Subverting Self- Interest and Limiting Discretion: Learning from “New” Forms of Accountability in Practice Cameron Holley * Introduction ................................................................................................. 128 I. Theory: Accountability in New Environmental Governance .............. 139 II. Methods .................................................................................................. 148 III. Environment Improvement Plans—Overview, Legal Design, and Findings .................................................................................................... 151 A. Overview of EIP .................................................................................. 151 B. EIP Legal Design ................................................................................ 155 1. Accountability and a Process-Based Approach ............................. 155 2. Accountability and a Performance-Based Approach.................... 156 C. Findings—Achievements and Limitations in Process- and Performance-Based Regimes ............................................................... 159 1. Process-Based Approach................................................................. 160 2. Accountability for Performance..................................................... 162 IV. Neighbourhood Environment Improvement Plans—Overview, Legal Design, and Findings ............................................................................... 172 A. Overview of NEIP ............................................................................... 172 B. Legal Design—NEIP and Performance-Based Approaches ............ 175 C. Findings—Imprecise Targets and Inept Monitoring: The Failing of “New” Forms of Accountability in a Performance-Based Regime .... 178 V. Regional Natural Resource Management—Overview, Legal Design, and Findings ............................................................................................. 184 A. Overview of RNRM ............................................................................. 184 B. RNRM’s Legal Design: “New” Forms of Accountability.................. 188 C. RNRM—Success and Limitations of “New” Forms of Accountability in a Performance-Based Approach ..................................................... 193 * Dr Cameron Holley, Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Governance, Regulatory Institutions Network, Australian National University. Sincere thanks to Neil Gunningham, Darren Sinclair, Clifford Shearing, and the dedicated staff of this Journal for their helpful comments on the research and this Article. The research contained in this Article was supported by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant in partnership with the Environment Protection Authority, Victoria.