While Department of Conservation staff were waiting on the outcome of consultation on the latest round of restructuring, it was difficult for the board to plan or direct work, board chairwoman Associate Prof Abby Smith said.
''It's nearly impossible to do anything.''
The board's next meeting had been scheduled for July 5, which was only four days after any changes from the restructuring were due to be implemented.
''The department is likely to be in a state of chaos, so we'd be of no benefit to anybody.''
Added to that was confusion over the board's future given the proposal indicated the Otago conservancy would be split in two, half joining with Southland and the other with Canterbury.
''We're being legislated out of existence, removed from the map if you like.''
It was also concerned the Otago conservation management plan (CMS) it had worked so hard on, which was due to be released to the public in June, would be obsolete with the changes to regional boundaries.
The board was waiting to hear from Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith regarding appointments and reappointments to the board as four members, including Prof Smith, were standing down when their terms ended on June 30 and three were waiting to see if they would be reappointed.
If members did not, out of courtesy, continue to attend meetings after their terms ended, which they had done in past, there would only be three elected members on the board in July - Ngai Tahu representative Jim Williams, Susan Stevens and David Barnes. Only two members were required for a quorum.
Along with that, the board's support officer's term ended on June 30, she said.
The board would write to the Government expressing its concern at the potential loss of expertise to the board. Members standing down were Garry Nixon and Iris Scott, who had been members since 2004, Prof Smith, who joined in 2005, and Andrew Penniket in 2006.
Prof Smith, who had been chairwoman for one term and deputy before that, said she had decided to stand down as her workload was too high, not because of the restructuring.
A Doc spokeswoman said the department was still working towards public notification of the Otago, Southland and Canterbury management plans on June 26.
''These CMS documents are not affected by the restructure and our commitment to them has not changed.''
Dr Smith earlier indicated he would review the board structure after the final decision on Doc restructuring was made.
