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The director of California's Department of Fish and Game is resigning after 18 months in the position.
Donald Koch was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in April 2008 and had a somewhat controversial confirmation process in the Legislature.
Lawmakers allowed the entire yearlong confirmation period to run before certifying him. Democratic leaders used the confirmation process to pressure the administration to improve the department rather than to criticize Koch.
Citing reasons "unrelated to my duties" in a Wednesday letter to the governor, obtained by The Bee, Koch said his resignation is effective Nov. 1.
"I am truly grateful for the opportunity you provided me to serve as director," he wrote.
Department spokeswoman Jordan Traverso said Koch wasn't available for comment and declined to elaborate on the reason for his departure. She said Koch was not asked to resign and his reasons have nothing to do with his duties at the department or friction with the administration.
Koch was formerly director of Fish and Game's North Coast Region and maintains a home there. He came out of retirement to take the director's job and has lived in Sacramento, apart from his family, for much of that time.
"He is leaving for personal reasons and to spend more time with his family," Traverso said.
The administration, she said, won't consider naming a replacement until after Nov. 1.
Before Koch was appointed, Fish and Game was overseen by an interim director for seven months after the 2007 resignation of Ryan Broddrick, who was appointed by Schwarzenegger in 2004.
Koch's departure comes at a difficult time for the state as it struggles with challenges, including game warden shortages, budget problems that hinder wildlife management and historic efforts to rewrite water law, restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and adopt marine sanctuaries.
"This is somewhat shocking," said Todd Tognazzini, president of the California Fish and Game Wardens Association. "We have been through a substantial number of directors over a very short period of time. But if he's got personal reasons, we certainly would respect that."
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Donald Koch was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in April 2008 and had a somewhat controversial confirmation process in the Legislature.
Lawmakers allowed the entire yearlong confirmation period to run before certifying him. Democratic leaders used the confirmation process to pressure the administration to improve the department rather than to criticize Koch.
Citing reasons "unrelated to my duties" in a Wednesday letter to the governor, obtained by The Bee, Koch said his resignation is effective Nov. 1.
"I am truly grateful for the opportunity you provided me to serve as director," he wrote.
Department spokeswoman Jordan Traverso said Koch wasn't available for comment and declined to elaborate on the reason for his departure. She said Koch was not asked to resign and his reasons have nothing to do with his duties at the department or friction with the administration.
Koch was formerly director of Fish and Game's North Coast Region and maintains a home there. He came out of retirement to take the director's job and has lived in Sacramento, apart from his family, for much of that time.
"He is leaving for personal reasons and to spend more time with his family," Traverso said.
The administration, she said, won't consider naming a replacement until after Nov. 1.
Before Koch was appointed, Fish and Game was overseen by an interim director for seven months after the 2007 resignation of Ryan Broddrick, who was appointed by Schwarzenegger in 2004.
Koch's departure comes at a difficult time for the state as it struggles with challenges, including game warden shortages, budget problems that hinder wildlife management and historic efforts to rewrite water law, restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and adopt marine sanctuaries.
"This is somewhat shocking," said Todd Tognazzini, president of the California Fish and Game Wardens Association. "We have been through a substantial number of directors over a very short period of time. But if he's got personal reasons, we certainly would respect that."
More...
