Calusa Waterkeeper

In the News

Pollution Mystery: Where has the Chocolatey Runoff Been Coming From?

Pollution Mystery: Where has the Chocolatey Runoff Been Coming From?

Earlier this month, pilot Ralph Arwood, who volunteers for the nonprofit Calusa Waterkeeper, photographed brown billows flowing into the Caloosahatchee from the Townsend Canal in Hendry County, near Lee’s border. Its milk chocolatey color contrasted with the river’s dark blue.

Make Your Voice Heard: Oppose SB 2508

Make Your Voice Heard: Oppose SB 2508

Florida Senate bill 2508 surfaced out of nowhere on Friday, February 4th. The bill was fast-tracked skipping the usual committee stops and following another unexpected announcement by the South Florida Water Management District, requesting control of an additional 1.5 feet of Lake Okeechobee above the Water Shortage Band as part of LOSOM.

Who We Are & What We Do

Who We Are & What We Do

Calusa Waterkeeper and its supporters LOVE our waters and are fighting to protect human health, aquatic life, our local economy, and our piece of paradise in Southwest Florida. We do all of this through science-based research, public education, advocacy, social innovation, water and air monitoring, the hard work of countless volunteers and listening to our community.

Flush with Power

Flush with Power

The Safe Waterways Act would seem a no-brainer to many, but it’s not turning out that way, so far. The bill proposes to use one-tenth of 1% of the state’s roughly $4.5 billion environmental budget to warn people with simple signs wherever public waters used for recreation exceed safe counts for fecal bacteria.

Construction of Reclaimed Water Pipeline from Fort Myers to Cape Coral to Begin Soon

Construction of Reclaimed Water Pipeline from Fort Myers to Cape Coral to Begin Soon

There’s a plan to keep the water flowing not down a river, but across a river. Progress is happening on an idea to move reclaimed water from Fort Myers to Cape Coral. Caloosahatchee Connect construction will soon start on that pipeline to move water across the Caloosahatchee to be used for irrigation and fire protection.

Guest Opinion: The Data Shell Game and Environmental Regulation

Guest Opinion: The Data Shell Game and Environmental Regulation

Why does water quality continue declining in so many areas of the state while the legislature consistently brags about historic spending to fix the problem? This perplexing question seems to surface every year going back more than a decade.

Lawmakers admit BMAP isn’t working, but they’re not fixing it

Lawmakers admit BMAP isn’t working, but they’re not fixing it

Treasure Coast lawmakers admit Florida’s flagship program to reduce water pollution isn’t working. But none are taking action during this legislative session to change it. The BMAP has legally enforceable strategies for landowners to reduce pollution, but Florida isn’t enforcing them beyond warning letters.

Act Now: Support the Safe Waterways Act

Act Now: Support the Safe Waterways Act

The Safe Waterways Act (SB 604) has yet to be heard in the Florida State Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Without this committee’s support, we may lose this legislation on fecal pollution. Please call or email today!

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