Newsletter - November 2020
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Saving Estero Bay - A Resounding Success
We are deeply grateful for all the sponsors, donors, supporters, bidders and attendees for making our first online benefit a success! Hundreds tuned in Saturday evening to join the discussion, experience the premiere of our exclusive film: Eternal Vigilance - Fighting to Restore the Estero Bay Tributaries, and meet many of our sponsors and auction donors.
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New Approach Needed for Sustaining Florida’s Waters
The importance and overwhelming support for the “Right To Clean Water” Charter Amendment passed by Orange County voters on Nov. 3, should not be underestimated. The ballot question, linked to the Rights of Nature movement, is a clear indictment of Florida policymakers that don’t have the political will to prevent further decline of state waters.
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In the News
Calusa Waterkeeper Awarded Nonprofit Organization of the Year at Annual ENPY Event
The Cape Coral Community Foundation is pleased to announce the 12 Award Recipients for the fourth annual Excellence in Nonprofit Performance Yearly Awards, also known as the ENPYs. Calusa Waterkeeper is honored to be awarded the Nonprofit Organization of the Year (established more than five years ago). Read More
More Dirty Water Flows into the Caloosahatchee in Fort Myers
Once again, two construction sites have dumped polluted stormwater into the Caloosahatchee in downtown Fort Myers. Barriers around the work sites failed to contain the dirty runoff and state officials are investigating the City Walk and Silver Hills properties. Read More
Is Sending Lake O’s Water South the Solution to Toxic Discharges?
The USACE has been releasing water from Lake Okeechobee as Tropical Storm Eta bears down on South Florida. This can be problematic in more ways than one. With the water level in the lake already high, John Cassani said heavy rainfall can create problems. Read More
Cape Coral seeks State Funding for Chiquita Lock Removal
The City of Cape Coral is moving forward with hopes to remove the controversial Chiquita Lock. The fight over whether the lock should be removed has spanned several years, and the city hopes to get $2 million in funding from the state to help its cause. Read More
Water at Pine Island's Tropical Point Park Causes Concern
Water testing from Tropical Point Park in St. James City showed high fecal indicator bacteria leading to concern for several people, including school children, wading in these waters. County officials have been contacted on behalf of fellow islanders in an effort to keep them safe. Read More
Images Show Lake O Releases Meeting Gulf near Sanibel
New aerial images show Lake Okeechobee discharges reaching the Gulf of Mexico near Sanibel Island, causing a stark contrast where released freshwater meets saltwater in the Gulf. Read More
Public Invited to Play Role in Battle Over Chiquita Lock
Cape Coral stands ready to rally the public in the next legal battle to dismantle the Chiquita Lock, hiring lawyers who promise to use public involvement to convince regulators to eliminate it. Read More
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A Win Against Toxic Lake Okeechobee Discharges
Calusa Waterkeeper is proud to be involved with a recent win in federal court regarding the management of Lake Okeechobee and its impacts to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries. The court order concluded an important case in holding the federal government more accountable for their actions affecting endangered species and federally designated critical habitat. Read the Full Press Release
More News Coverage of the Federal Court Ruling
“This is an important legal victory for the communities and wildlife repeatedly harmed by ‘the Corps’ toxic discharges... We hope the agencies will seize this opportunity to build public trust and help improve the health of our coastal waterways and wildlife,” said Jaclyn Lopez, Florida director at Center for Biological Diversity
“The beaches were just littered with tons and tons of dead sea life as a result of the red tide effect [in 2018],” said John Cassani, the director of Calusa Waterkeeper. “And what synergized that was we had a blue-green algae bloom at the very same time.” From Wink News
“Between December 2017 and August 2018, FWC attributed 52 of 67 manatee deaths to red tide. This statistic is particularly shocking when compared to reports that from 2000 through 2012 there were 64 manatee deaths reported from the Lake Okeechobee area,” stated Federal Judge Donald Middlebrooks
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Around the Watershed
Some favorite snapshots of Estero tributaries filmed for our movie
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Caloosahatchee and Estero Bay tributary discharges impacting Estero Bay: Nov. 15
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Caloosahatchee and Peace River discharge post Tropical Storm Eta.
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Images of the algal blooms offshore of Estero and Sanibel Islands on Nov. 4
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Live discussion on Lake O discharges with Friends of the Everglades
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Construction worker pumping turbid water offsite through a stormwater drain
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Celebrating 25 Years - Founded in 1995
We are excited to release our Anniversary Commemorative publication recognizing our 25-year history, starting as CRCA – Riverwatch in 1995. This expanded souvenir newsletter is chock full of historical accounts from our founding and early years, along with a focus on key issues throughout our watershed.
Please consider adding $25 to your next donation to salute our anniversary!
CALUSA WATERKEEPER MISSION
To Protect and Restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the Coastal Waters.
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Phone: (239) 784-0880
Pollution Hotline: (239) 444-8584
Email: [email protected]
Follow Calusa Waterkeeper!
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Calusa Waterkeeper
PO Box 1165
Fort Myers, FL 33902
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