No way but up for water situation?

It isn't a good sign when a state official in charge of a controversial issue steps down before the issue is settled.

On the other hand, the issues, Nebraska's dispute with Kansas over the Republican River, probably won't get any worse.

In fact, perhaps a new perspective will move the issue off the railroad tracks where it has been stalled for the past decade.

Department of Natural Resources Director Ann Bleed said she was resigning Monday because she and Gov. Dave Heineman "disagree on a number of significant issues." The governor's spokeswoman said she didn't think the disagreement was over basic water issues, but "communication regarding litigation."

Several officials didn't see the change as a crisis -- in fact, they hoped for better things.

Dan Smith of the Middle Republican Natural Resources District said he didn't think the process would "miss a beat."

State Sen. Mark Christensen hoped for better communication with the DNR and Steve Smith of the WaterClaim advocacy group hoped Heineman "will appoint someone who is willing to recognize the effects of conservation and create policies accordingly."

Deputy Director Brian Dunnigan was appointed acting director, and we wish him all the best.

With a court decision pending on the Friends of the River lawsuit and the fiscal repercussions that may result, plus new Kansas legal action over Nebraska's water use likely, he'll need it.