Calusa Waterkeeper

Newsletter | July 2019

Public Health Alert - Florida Water Summit 2:

August 5th at 5:30 pm | Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre

Troubled Waters Trailer

Watch Troubled Waters Documentary Trailer

Exclusive Documentary: Troubled Waters

Join us for the premiere of Calusa Waterkeeper’s new documentary, Troubled Waters.

 

This short film will feature expert scientists and doctors as they explore the human health impacts of cyanotoxins and BMAA in South Florida.

 

An extended Q&A session with an all-star panel of experts will follow the video screening.

 

Calusa Waterkeeper Members receive a 10% discount on tickets for this exclusive event!

Purchase Tickets Now
 
CWK Vlog
 

Words from the Waterkeeper

Calusa Waterkeeper, John Cassani has the most recent readings from Lake Okeechobee's harmful algal bloom and microcystin levels. He also shares updates on bacterial hotspots happening in some popular Southwest Florida recreational waterways. Watch Full Video

First Water Summit Panel

If you were not able to join us at our June 24th Public Health Alert Florida Water Summit, you can experience the expert panel Q & A session now. Save the date and get your tickets now to join us on Monday, August 5th for our next summit!

 
CWK Summit
 

SAVE THE DATE: Upcoming Benefit Event

 
Rally for Clean Water
 

Saturday, August 17th | 12 - 8 PM

Millennial Brewing Co. | Fort Myers

Millennial Brewing is partnering with Calusa Waterkeeper for the 2nd Annual Rally for Clean Water Fundraiser to benefit our organization and on-going efforts. Please plan to join us for this fun event!

Waterway Testing Results

 
Waterway testing
 

With the exception of Powell Creek in North Fort Myers, it’s good to see fecal indicator bacteria remain at such low levels from our June 22nd testing of area waterways.

 
Billy's Creek testing
 

Bacteria sampling results from June 23rd for Billy’s Creek: Enterococci contamination is pretty bad in Lee County’s jurisdiction in the headwaters near Ortiz Ave. 

Petition for HAB Protections

UPDATE: Petition Generates Action by the FDEP

Amid fears of another summer of toxic algae afflicting the state and hurting its economy, along with a petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Calusa Waterkeeper and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, officials from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection say they are considering new regulations on how much of the blue-green algae toxins are allowed in the state’s waterways. This process involves taking public comment, plus recommendations from the new Blue-Green Algae Task Force before deciding on new criteria. New regulations must be approved by Florida's Environmental Regulatory Commission before enactment. Read Full Story

Behind the Scenes of  "Troubled Waters"

Calusa Waterkeeper team members & volunteers have traveled all over South Florida to speak with some of the brightest minds and learn about the latest emerging research and technology for exploring the human health impacts of cyanotoxins and BMAA. Plan to join us August 5th for the premiere of our documentary, plus an expert panel from the film including Dr. Walter Bradley, Dr. Larry Brand, John Cassani, Dr. David Davis, Dr. Arthur Diskin, Dr. Malcolm McFarland, Dr. James Metcalf, RN Holley Rauen, Adam Schaefer, Dr. Howard Simon, Dr. Parisima Taeb, & Dr. Robert Zarranz! Watch Troubled Waters Trailer

 
Dr. Larry Brand
 
 
FAU Harbor Branch
 

Membership Updates

We're continuing to make a greater positive impact on our communities and local waterways thanks to our returning and new members. We are excited and grateful to announce that the Calusa Waterkeeper membership has grown by 12 individuals since June 1st! Will you join us?

 
Annual Member Meeting
 
Join/Renew Your Membership

Calusa Waterkeeper In The Press

 
ACOE Algae Warnings
 

ACOE Urges Boaters to be Aware of Harmful Algae

The ACOE is now warning boaters about toxic cyanobacteia in Lake Okeechobee and the 154-mile Okeechobee Waterway, which includes the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers. Read More

 
Cassani at Estero River
 

No Warning Signs or Action Plan for Dirty Estero River

Alarming fecal bacteria counts - some 10 times the beach closure limit - are nothing new to the chronically troubled Estero river, which flows to Estero Bay, the state’s first aquatic preserve. Read More

 
Caloosahatchee BMAPs
 

FDEP Working to Update Caloosahatchee BMAP Plan

The state is moving forward with a plan to clean up pollution in the Caloosahatchee River and its estuary nearly a decade after the standards were adopted. Read More

 
blue-green algae
 

Waterkeepers Recommend Standards for Cyanotoxins

Waterkeepers Florida submitted comments to the FDEP, as part of their triennial review process, urging them to codify a numerical standard for cyanotoxins. Read More

 
Jaclyn Lopez
 

Toxic Algae Season Signals need for Bolder Solutions

Center for Biological Diversity's Jaclyn Lopez lays out possible solutions to combat HABs as our highly toxic blue-green algae season returns. Read More

 
Drinking Water Quality
 

State & DEP Misleads Public about Drinking Water Quality

A government watchdog organization says the state is purposely misrepresenting information about drinking water facility violations. Read More

Around the Watershed

 
Gulf cyano bloom
 

Massive cyanobacteria bloom in the north central Gulf. Heavy rainfall and runoff has suppressed salinity. Very unusual to see a cyano bloom of this scale in the open Gulf. The approaching tropical system may exacerbate this scenario more.

 
sign
 

Citizens are stepping up and posting signs of their own making on their property, warning of the risk from fecal indicator bacteria in nearby waters.

 
Moms for Clean Water
 

Nice work by our own Corey McCloskey promoting Moms for Clean Water - an advocacy group calling for meaningful protection for ALL of our water resources.

 
cyano
 

Progression of active cyano bloom on Lake O through the last couple weeks. Recent water tests show toxin levels above the EPA recreational guidelines.

 
cyano
 

Have you Bought your Tickets Yet?

Florida Water Summit 2
Get Tickets Now

CALUSA WATERKEEPER MISSION

To Protect and Restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the Coastal Waters.

Make a Donation
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Phone: (239) 784-0880
Pollution Hotline: (239) 444-8584
Email: [email protected]

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Calusa Waterkeeper
PO Box 1165
Fort Myers, FL 33902

 
Waterkeeper Alliance Member
 

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