Originally published on Fort Myers News-Press by Vanessa Norris on July 20, 2026
Matlacha Pass is impaired by excessive nutrients and fecal bacteria under the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Impaired Waters Rule. According to John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus, the removal of the Ceitus Boat Lift in 2008 largely contributed to the impairment.
The lift forced stormwater runoff through the mangrove spreader system, which filters out pollutants before water enters the estuary, according to Cassani.
The removal of the lift and the mangroves in northwest Cape Coral eliminates protections for the area’s natural waterways.
“The system is under a lot of duress as a result of all the development that’s going on,” Cassani said. “Water quality is not getting better — it’s getting worse, and that has an impact on habitat and fish and wildlife.”
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