In the News
Meet Calusa Waterkeeper’s New Executive Director Trisha Botty
Calusa Waterkeeper has a new Executive Director. Trisha Botty most recently served as Head of Social Impact and Connectivity at Collaboratory in Fort Myers. Her background includes positions in government, philanthropy, organized labor, and nonprofits in the D.C. metro area, Upstate New York, and Southwest Florida.
Fort Myers Takes out Debt to Make up for Neglected Water Quality
Fort Myers is set to spend over $60 million to improve the water quality in the Caloosahatchee. The city already accepted blame for repeatedly dumping untreated wastewater into waterways after the FDEP filed a consent order that detailed numerous violations of clean water regulations.
Calusa Waterkeeper Welcomes Trisha Botty as its New Executive Director
Calusa Waterkeeper is pleased to announce the appointment of Trisha Botty to the position of Executive Director. Botty brings a wealth of advocacy, government, and nonprofit experience to the organization, which is dedicated to the protection of clean water in the Caloosahatchee River & Estuary, Lake Okeechobee, Charlotte Harbor, Estero Bay, and other portions of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Charlotte Counties’ watersheds.
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 30
This week’s water updates include the persistent bloom on Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee River, and new technology to test airborne toxins related to harmful algal blooms.
Water district stays with alum, sand treatment for Caloosahatchee reservoir, or C-43
Cassani and others wanted the state to build a series of wetlands or find a more natural way to help water quality in the reservoir. For years there has been a concern that algae could grow in the reservoir, which would make it unfit to release back into the Caloosahatchee River.
Algae found floating in Cape Coral canals
John Cassani is the Calusa Waterkeeper and says there were multiple factors leading to the green algae. These include rain, water movement and warm water temperature. But the dominant force is runoff.
Sugar lawsuit causes concern among environmental groups who fear EAA reservoir project delays
“Corporate sugar isn’t the only bad actor here,” Cassani said. “The legislators do whatever they can to keep the status quo. You can hardly blame the corporate industry for taking advantage of these bought-out politicians. You pay to play and the sugar industry has paid.”
Life Sometimes Finds a Way
One recent August day, a wandering ecologist named John Cassani found himself bumping up onto Mound Key Archaeological State Park in the middle of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. There, the Calusa Indians once discarded their seashells in vast quantities, with intent.
Large Plumes of Discolored Water Spotted in Estero Bay
FGCU’s Water School put a sample of water under a microscope from a local beach. They found multiple kinds of algae, meaning they were being fed by that same nutrients. “It’s just a question of extra nutrients that man would put in to keep it growing,” said Dr. Barry Rosen from FGCU.
Red Tide Leading to Fish Kills off Coast of Southwest Florida
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Red Tide map shows different levels of red tide cells. Areas like Boca Grande Pass and Little Gasparilla Island are in the red, depicting they have high concentrations of red tide.
Red Tide Sticking Around Longer Could Cause More Damage
On the latest red tide map, you can see that in the area where the pictures were taken, there are medium to high concentrations of red tide. And one expert says that the longer that red tide sticks around, the more damage it can cause.
Red Tide Bloom Apparent off of Placida in Charlotte County
A red tide bloom is affecting Placida in Charlotte County. The area has lots of dead fish and the water is dark and murky. “We’re seeing an increase of incidence of red tide right now,” said John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper.
