Ann Bleed of Lincoln retired in Monday as director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.

In a letter to Gov. Dave Heineman three days after meeting with the governor, Bleed said the two "disagree on a number of significant issues." Her letter did not elaborate on those issues, although she said the disagreements prevented her from serving effectively.

Her surprise resignation came at a time when Nebraska is embroiled in the Republican River issue with Kansas. The department also is working on a plan to reduce water use in the Platte River Basin and on possibly limiting irrigation in a segment of the Niobrara River Basin.

"I deeply appreciate the 20 years of service Ann has given to our state," Heineman said in a news release. "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 in the same state-issued news release. "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."

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

Previously, he had been acting deputy director, 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 flood plain manager, and has spent more than 20 years with DNR.