Calusa Waterkeeper
 

Newsletter | May 2020

Your Waterkeeper at Work

Loggerhead Turtle

Lawsuit Launched Challenging Feds’ Failure to Fully Assess Harms of Lake Okeechobee Toxic Releases to Protected Sea Turtles, Sawfish

Due to an unfavorable outcome to a Notice of Intent filed in December 2018 which was followed by a lawsuit filed in June 2018 against the USACE and other agencies regarding violations to the Endangered Species Act, conservation groups have now filed a notice of intent to sue federal agencies for failing to acknowledge the harms that toxic releases from Lake Okeechobee pose to protected wildlife like sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish. The Center for Biological Diversity, Calusa Waterkeeper and Waterkeeper Alliance say the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) failed to fully consider how the toxic algae and other pollutants from the Corps’ lake discharge harm wildlife, especially when they occur at the same time as red tide. Continue Reading

Waterkeeper Advocacy

 
red tide fish kill
 

HAB Red Tide Task Force

Calusa Waterkeeper, John Cassani, on behalf of the Waterkeepers Florida submitted comments for the Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force Consensus Document #1: Initial Recommendations Regarding Red Tide (Karenia brevis) Blooms. Read the full letter.

 
cyanobacteria bloom
 

Clean Water Act, Section 404

St. John's Riverkeeper, Lisa Rinaman, the Board Chair of Waterkeepers Florida submitted a Request for Hearing to the FDEP regarding proposed rules related to state assumption of the Clean Water Act, Section 404 Program. Read the full letter.

Welcome to the Team!

Calusa Waterkeeper is pleased to welcome Nonnel Galaviz-Johnson as our Community Outreach Coordinator on our Billy’s Creek restoration study. Nonnel will be our lead, working under John Cassani and our Billy’s Creek restoration planning committee. Graduating with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies, Nonnel's time spent at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) included Ambassador and House Manager positions with the Southern Scholarship Foundation (SSF) and a research abroad trip to Ghana. She was also involved in a pilot program between FGCU and MIT studying civic design and engagement, which led to her developing and presenting a workshop to students in Urban Planning at MIT where a strong network of practitioners and community leaders was formed. Nonnel says, "From my work in Action Corps and other organizing groups, I wish to assist in the process of mobilizing communities towards a more sustainable path for people and nature."

In the News

Rare Smalltooth Sawfish Sighting in Alva

Smalltooth Sawfish

It’s the marine equivalent of a Florida panther encounter: something so extraordinarily rare that even some biologists who study the smalltooth sawfish have never seen one in the wild. But for Megan Durling, it was simply an extraordinary bit of good luck on what was already a pretty lucky day.

Continue Reading
 
Blue Green Algae on beach
 

Trichodesmium Blooms Appear on SWFL Beaches

A form of blue-green algae is appearing along Southwest Florida beaches. While it’s not red-tide, some researches have concerns. A sight Calusa Waterkeeper, John Cassani says, is not uncommon this time of year. Read More >

 
HABs in Waterways
 

Scientists Monitor Factors for Future HAB Development

Warm weather water woes are already starting to make their presence felt in Southwest Florida. Recent weeks have seen an increase in events “signaling an imbalance” in the region’s natural systems. Read More >
 
Moore Haven Spillway
 

Caloosahatchee to Get More Water from the Lake

The Caloosahatchee has been in trouble since the USACE cut flows to the river from Lake Okeechobee. But now, with the federal agency releasing more freshwater from the lake, the thirsty, salty river will get some relief. Read More >

 
Cape Coral
 

Cape Coral Taps Reservoir to Offset Drought Conditions

Cape Coral has turned to a reservoir in Charlotte County for irrigation water as drought conditions continue to plague the region. The are pumping water from an old rock quarry into the city’s extensive system of canals. Read More >

Words from the Waterkeeper - Episode 12

WFTWK

On this Words From the Waterkeeper, John updates us on the uptick of cyanobacteria in Lake Okeechobee and surrounding areas along with a lot of macro algae building up. Plus, we’re still seeing high salinity levels in the upper Caloosahatchee estuary.

Watch Now

Don't Miss an Episode of Words from the Waterkeeper!

Be sure you follow us on social media to see the latest episodes when they are released. Being a follower of Calusa Waterkeeper also means you can stay up to date on our water monitoring, education & advocacy efforts!

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Join our May Membership Drive and Collect your Special Perks!

 
Renew Your Membership for a Bandanna
 

A Gift for Members & Donors

Renew your membership, become a member or make a donation to Calusa Waterkeeper and we will mail you one of our fashionable & protective bandannas and also provide a link to a free viewing of our ground-breaking documentary, TROUBLED WATERS. Act now, quantities are limited and this special ends May 31st!

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Water Quality Updates

 
Caloosahatchee Estuary
 

Caloosahatchee & Estuary Condition Report

Caloosahatchee estuary salinity remains high. Predicted rainfall did not materialize. In contrast to the USACE and SFWMD targeted flows of 650 cfs, estuary flows dropped by 72% to a weekly average of 189 cfs at S-79. The Caloosahatchee estuary continues to need flows to reduce salinity throughout the estuary. Only 36% of lake outflows to S-77 reached the estuary at S-79. Read More

 
cyanobacteria
 

Cyanobacteria showing up in the Caloosahatchee River at LaBelle City Docks,  reported by CWK Ranger Scott Perry.

FDEP has also reported an algae bloom at the Moore Haven lock (S-79).

 
cyanobacteria
 
 
cyanobacteria
 

Another small cyanobacteria bloom was discovered in the upper Caloosahatchee estuary and the cyanobacteria pigment phycocyanin remains relatively high. Water sample test results showed cyanobacteria species Microcystis sp. (large colonial) and Dolichospermum circinale (single strand). Both are capable of toxin production.

Celebrating 25 Years - Founded in 1995

 
CRCA logo
 
 
CWK logo
 

Be on the lookout for a 25th Anniversary Commemorative Issue publication recognizing 25 years as CRCA and 5 years with the Waterkeeper Alliance. This expanded souvenir newsletter will be chock full of historical accounts from our founding and early years, along with a focus on key issues throughout our watershed.

 
Billy's Creek early 1900s
 

Historical painting of Billy's Creek

CALUSA WATERKEEPER MISSION

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

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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