Head of California conservation agency resigns

Mark Nechodom, director of the embattled California Department of Conservation, has resigned.

The resignation, confirmed by the Natural Resources Agency on Friday, comes amid scrutiny of the department over its regulation of the state’s oil industry, including letting oil drillers inject wastewater into wells in protected aquifers.

Nechodom, who was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown in December 2011, resigned in a one-paragraph letter to Natural Resources Secretary John Laird on Thursday. He gave no reason for his departure but said he has “appreciated being part of this team and helping to guide it through a difficult time.”

Except for confirming Nechodom’s resignation, the resources agency declined to comment.

This story was originally published June 5, 2015 at 5:11 PM.