Platte River users have been at odds with each other, the federal government and Wyoming and Colorado for decades. Each has its own reasons for disputing rights of the others. A modified decree in 2000 settled most of the conflict between Nebraska and Wyoming, but when the river and its tributaries began drying up in the drought, concerns mounted and a Platte River Cooperative Agreement was finally signed at the end of 2006 by Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming and the U.S. Department of the Interior in an attempt to reduce water use in the river. The Agreement was the beginning of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program. Now the various entities are attempting to meet the deadlines imposed by the program, two of which are due before the end of this year.

Republican River irrigators were threatened with court action by Kansas for allegedly using more than their share of river water as it flowed from Colorado through Nebraska to Kansas. Nebraska legislators agreed to the purchase of Republican water to send down river to Kansas, but some taxpayers objected to their money being used to pay for the water. Now Nebraska faces court action from Kansas, as well as some of its own taxpayers.

Along the Niobrara River, producers are angry over the NDNR decision to restrict drilling for new wells.
All of these issues, combined with routine day to day activities, are enough to make water users throughout the state wonder what the next step will be.

Some Panhandle residents are urging Gov. Dave Heineman to create a selection committee that will find a replacement for Bleed.

Many cite the former director's knowledge as something that will be difficult to replace in a new administrator.

"It's imperative that the new director is knowledgeable of and understands how the (irrigation) system works out here," said Rick Preston, general manager of the Gering/Fort Laramie Canal that serves irrigators in Wyoming and Nebraska on the south side of the Platte River. "Without that knowledge and understanding they can't draw good conclusions. This job takes a lot of common sense, and not so much book knowledge. They also want to appoint someone who is neutral and has no agenda. It's going to be tough to replace her."

Jerry Kenny, executive director of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, said he is sorry to see Bleed leave. "She's a very capable individual, and made valuable contributions to the program."

Kenny said he doesn't have any idea what the process will be in replacing Bleed, but there are deadlines coming up this year that might be impacted by her absence.

Kenny said the new depletions plan, which will mitigate new water uses after 1997, and progress on the Integrated Management Plans, which have already required an extension past last September's original deadline, could be in jeopardy without strong leadership. The depletions plan is part of the PRRIP, while the IMP is mandated in LB 962, Nebraska's updated water law.

Of Brian Dunnigan, Bleed's deputy who was named by Heineman as her temporary replacement, Kenny said he is very capable, but will have a large learning curve.

"He'll have a lot to learn and very quickly," Kenny said. "But we'll work with him and give any assistance we can to help."

The North Platte Natural Resources District General Manager Ron Cacek also expressed surprise at Bleed's abrupt departure, but said he believes the programs will move forward.

"It was a huge surprise," Cacek said Thursday afternoon. "Ann understood the hydrology of the North Platte Valley and the (Modified) Decree. We will certainly feel the loss because she understood it very well."
According to Cacek, the ultimate outcome of the IMP will almost certainly be impacted by her absence.

 

However, he said it is too early to know how.

"It's certainly not good timing, but we have to move forward. Some issues out here will be of concern. It's possible the new director won't understand the hydrology or the irrigation system. In that respect, Ann's departure is a loss for us. The question now is how quickly the governor is able to appoint someone else."

The same question is on the minds of Panhandle irrigators. Robert "Bob" Busch, who farms in Mitchell Valley and serves on several water committees connected with the Platte River issues, turned off his tractor Thursday to discuss the issue.

 

"We're disappointed that she resigned," Busch said. "There's so much work still to be done. No one else in that department has the knowledge or is as up to speed as Ann, but we must go on."

Busch said he hopes Heineman will appoint a selection committee that will move with a sense of urgency, but with caution in finding a new DNRD director. He said two people from the Panhandle should be on the committee, especially to represent surface water users.

He also said NDNR employees should be assured that their jobs are secure and that they can continue with the good work they do for the state.

"This drought isn't going to quit, and with the other issues facing the state, we need cool heads in leadership positions that will have to make these critical decisions," he said.