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CWK Rangers Ed and Chris Shinouskis were out sampling water for bacteria and came across an angler who had landed a juvenile sawfish entangled in fishing line and a heavy lead sinker. Ed deftly removed the line and released the sawfish unharmed. Watch Now!
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Brad Quandt used Microsoft's Power BI Analytics tool to investigate water quality issues in Southwest Florida. "With my data in Power BI, I was able to quickly build line charts to visualize the changes in salinity, dissolved oxygen and phosphorus levels over time." Read More!
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Lake Okeechobee System Operations Manual (LOSOM)
Southwest Florida residents were the first to weigh in on the Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) public scoping process for the new Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM). The most direct and immediate way we can have a say in how water discharges to the Caloosahatchee are managed.
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Army Corps Scoping Meetings
Huge turnout at the first Lake O scoping meeting on the Lake Regulation Schedule in Fort Myers. Thanks to all who showed support and especially to our CWK Ranges Holley Rauen, Jason Pim, Melanie Hoff, Don Lees, Louise Kowitch, Chuck Richardson, Kaye and Joe Vaughn and CWK Board Chair Gene Gibson for showing or making comments. Other Rangers attended the evening session. Hope this is a new beginning for change.
Learn more from Waterkeeper John Cassani about the importance of these meetings.
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Video of Calusa Waterkeeper and other citizen advocates at the first Army Corps of Engineers LOSOM Scoping Meeting. Many Rangers were in attendance and providing interviews to local media.
More from FOX4 News
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Lee Health board member Therese Everly and Chauncey Goss underscored the potential public health implications of the Lake O crisis at the Corps' LOSOM Scoping Meeting in Fort Myers.
More from The News-Press
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State & National Updates:
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Breaking: Miami Judge Denies SFWMD's Motion to Vacate Everglades Consent Decree
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Environmental organizations from around the state sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis urging him to direct the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to withdraw its motion to vacate the consent decree that has been the engine that has driven clean water protections for Everglades National Park for three decades. A victory was achieved February 11th when a Miami judge denied the motion.
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Waterkeeper Alliance Takes a Stand Against Proposed Changes to Waters of the US
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The Waters of the United States Rule (WOTUS) that defines eligibility under the Clean Water Act (CWA) is proposed for revision by the Trump administration. Waterkeeper Alliance his developing a tool kit to better understand the issue and to fight back on this damaging action that eliminates important headwaters from CWA protection. The impacts in Florida are potentially significant. The state of Florida is attempting to assume federal wetland permitting that is typically administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. Lookout for more information on WOTUS soon.
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Upcoming Ranger Training:
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Saturday, March 2nd, 9th & 16th
Calusa Nature Center Iona House, Fort Myers
If you're ready to make a difference for our local waterways as a volunteer CWK Ranger, mark your calendars and get registered now for our upcoming Ranger class. We can only take 22 candidates so don't delay in signing up!
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The CWK Ranger Academy is an educational and training resource for volunteers interested in working with the Calusa Waterkeeper in Southwest Florida. Rangers volunteer as citizen monitors of area waterways and will be trained to conduct surveys and report conditions and observations while on local waters. Volunteers set their own schedules and monitor in areas within seven zones of their choice.
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Calusa Wateerkeeper will have an official presence at these February events:
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Burrowing Owl Festival
Saturday, Feb. 23rd | 10am - 4pm
Rotary Park, Cape Coral
Event Info
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3rd Annual SWFL Vegfest
Sunday, Feb. 24th | 10am - 5pm
Riverside Park, Bonita Springs
Event Info
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Cyanobacteria in the Caloosahatchee water column and wind-rowed at the surface near the Franklin Lock freshwater side
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Dr. James Metcalf talks about his findings on our most recent toxic cyanobacteria outbreak at FGCU's water conference
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Photos from our recent Florida Water Policy Summit at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. Photos courtesy of For Truth Media
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With the exception of Billy's Creek in Fort Myers, enterococci levels are relatively low for a change
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Calusa Waterkeeper was on site at the FL Sportsman's Expo thanks to the generosity of Michael and Michelle Conner who gave us a free booth - a $495 retail value! Pictured: John Cassani and David Laties at the show
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Follow Calusa Waterkeeper!
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About Calusa Waterkeeper:
Calusa Waterkeeper is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the Caloosahatchee River & Estuary, Lake Okeechobee, Nicodemus Slough, Charlotte Harbor, Estero Bay, the near-shore waters of Lee County, and their watersheds, through education and promotion of responsible use and enjoyment by all people. Your support helps us continue critical testing & reporting, provide regulatory advisories, educational & community outreach and sustained public advocacy.
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Our project area covers more than 1,000 square miles, and our mission is to Protect and Preserve the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the Coastal Waters.
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Calusa Waterkeeper is a member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance, the largest and fastest growing nonprofit solely focused on clean water, with more than 300 Waterkeeper Organizations and Affiliates on the frontlines of the global water crisis, patrolling and protecting more than 2.5 million square miles of rivers, lakes and coastal waterways on six continents.
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Phone: 
Calusa Waterkeeper