By Robert Pore
robert.pore@theindependent.com

"I deeply appreciate the 20 years of service Ann has given to our state," Heineman said. "Her expertise in water management has been critical in helping our state face our many water challenges. Ann is not only an intelligent and capable engineer, but also a good director who understands the science of water administration and water use, and the people who play a central role in these issues."

Bleed was appointed director in 2007 after serving as acting director since August 2005. Prior to that, she was the deputy director of the department for more than four years. She joined DNR in 1988 as state hydrologist, a position she held for 12 years.

"Working with Nebraskans across the state was very rewarding, and I will remember the people I worked with very fondly," Bleed said. "I have also deeply enjoyed working with the Department of Natural Resources staff. They are capable, hardworking and very dedicated to achieving a sustainable future for the use of Nebraska's water resources and to implementing the water laws of the state in a manner that is fair to all water users."

One of the goals Bleed had when she was named to the position was to "continue strengthening our partnerships with the Natural Resource Districts, irrigation districts and other water interests across the state to ensure responsible and sustainable management of Nebraska's natural resources."

During her reign, Bleed saw the Nebraska Legislature pass LB701, which addressed water problems in the Republican River Basin and the implementation of the Platte River Recovery Program.

LB701 provides the three Republican River NRDs with the authority to purchase surface water rights to allow for adequate water flows into Kansas. The bill established a Water Resources Cash Fund that will be funded from general revenues of $2.7 million per year through 2019. The state will also spend an additional $2 million to clear invasive species and native plants that are blocking the flow of water in the Republican River.

The Platte River Recovery Program is an agreement between Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming and the U.S. Department of the Interior concerning the need for critical habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife species.

The states and the Department of the Interior had been working together since 1997 to develop a recovery plan to benefit certain species, yet allow continued water use and development along the Platte.

Once the recovery project is under way, much of the habitat that's part of the project will be located and acquired in the Central Platte NRD.

The plan proposes to acquire 10,000 acres of new habitat. The proposed area is between Lexington and Chapman.

The land will be purchased from willing sellers, but increasing river flow may involve further regulation of water use along the Platte River.

Ron Bishop, manger of the Central Platte Natural Resources District, said Bleed's retirement was a "surprise" and comes at a time when there are still a lot of water issues up in the air, such as LB962, which designated state river basins as either fully appropriated or overly appropriated concerning groundwater use and the Platte River recovery program.

The Central Platte NRD is both fully appropriated and overly appropriated. As a result of LB962, the Central Platte NRD board of directors declared a moratorium on any groundwater use unless there was an appropriate offset.

Bishop also said Bleed leaves her position with a lot of questions unanswered about the NRD's water banking program, which is designed for the NRD to purchase water rights on land to help offset new groundwater uses in the district.

Bleed said when she was named to the position that these are the most "difficult and challenging times" that DNR has experienced in working with water issues facing Nebraska, such as drought and implementing state laws determining whether Natural Resources Districts have overextended their use of water resources.

"There's still a lot of work to be done," Bishop said. "We had some disagreements with her, but we managed to get along."

Heineman has named DNR Deputy Director Brian Dunnigan as acting director of the department. Bleed named Dunnigan deputy in 2007.

Previously, he had been acting deputy, supervising DNR's Dam Safety, Flood Plain Management and Photogrammetry divisions. State law requires the DNR director to be a professional engineer with at least five years experience in irrigation-related work. Dunnigan is a registered professional engineer and a certified floodplain manager, and has spent more than 20 years with DNR.