DeSantis and Florida Legislators Have Largely Failed to Implement Blue-Green Algae Task Force Recommendations |
During his first week in office, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order #19-12, establishing the Blue-Green Algae Task Force. The Task Force issued a consensus document of recommendations in October 2019, focused on actionable ways to invest our tax dollars strategically to prevent pollution at the source. Since taking office, there have been three full legislative sessions (and numerous special sessions), yet the Governor and legislative leaders have only enacted a small handful of those vital recommendations. There have been:
NO statewide septic inspection programs - NO water quality standards for toxic algae blooms
- NO mandatory public health notifications for toxic blooms
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NO water quality testing required for enrolled agricultural polluters and
- NOT ENOUGH state resources for pollution prevention
Waterkeepers Florida, in collaboration with other environmental organizations, published a progress report on the implementation of recommendations made by Florida’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force. |
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Words from the Waterkeeper – Episode 35 |
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Updates on local water quality in the region from Lake Okeechobee through the Caloosahatchee to the coastal waters. Please consider supporting our air & water sampling. |
Don't miss an episode of Words From the Waterkeeper - follow or subscribe on your favorite platform.
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Celebrating 50 Years of the Clean Water Act! |
Learn what Waterkeepers in Florida are doing with the help of the Clean Water Act through our new comprehensive publication. |
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Who can Close SW FL Beaches when Water Quality is Poor? |
If you want to swim in poop, red tide, or cyanobacteria-contaminated waters, Florida’s health department isn’t going to stop you – in Lee County, at least. When enteric bacteria levels were high at Bonita Beach, people went right on splashing around in the warm Gulf. Read More |
Calusa Waterkeepers Closely Monitoring ‘milky’ Waters Around Matlacha |
The water is not just murky around Matlacha – it’s now appearing milky and the problem is being closely watched by Calusa Waterkeeper. “It’s quite concerning,” said Susan Dahod, Pine Island resident and Calusa Waterkeeper volunteer. Learn More
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| Parsons: Red Tide not Expected to Impact SW FL this Year |
More than four years have passed since a devastating and deadly red tide ravaged Southwest Florida, killing off millions of tons of marine life and shutting down the local tourism industry. And while late summer and early fall are when blooms typically initiate, red tide levels are at normal, background concentrations so far this year. See Why
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Florida’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force Meets After Half-Year Hiatus |
It was a day of sharp questions and soul-searching as Florida’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force met August 4th for the first time since February. The broad topic of this meeting: Why, after three years of task force effort, is Florida’s water still so troubled? Continue Reading
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When 'below average' is a good thing: Gulf's dead zone not as big this year, scientists say. |
Cape Romano to Fort Myers Beach nearshore blooms of the cyanobacterium Trichodesmium, also known as sea sawdust. Saharan dust rich in iron can contribute to Trichodesmium blooms. Imagery by Ralph Arwood |
Quarterly members-only Waterside Chat aboard River Queen II hosted by John and Kathy Cookman of Manatee and Eco River Tours. This is an exclusive CWK member benefit for catching up on water issues. |
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Our monthly bacteria sampling program has documented a number of persistent hotspots in Fort Myers, and also identified some locations that local governments aren't regularly monitoring or reporting.
View our Results Archive |
One way to try to stay cool this summer: the Waterkeeper Hefeweizen is still available at Point Ybel Brewing.! $1 per beer benefits Calusa Waterkeeper! |
Widespread cyanobacteria bloom persists on Lake Okeechobee. NOAA satellite imagery and low altitude photos by Ralph Arwood, July 29. |
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CALUSA WATERKEEPER MISSION |
To Protect and Restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the Coastal Waters. |
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FOLLOW CALUSA WATERKEEPER |
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| Calusa Waterkeeper
PO Box 1165
Fort Myers, FL 33902 |
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