Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
Engineers Meeting to Discuss Lake O Discharges as Algae Toxins Build
The Army Corps of Engineers met to discuss how many new discharges of water will be released from Lake Okeechobee into our area, and for how long. This meeting comes as high levels of toxins are once again in our water.
Water Conservancy Groups Urge Florida Regulators to Set Water Quality Standards
Thick, smelly clumps of blue-green algae have been decaying along the Caloosahatchee near the south side of the Franklin Lock. It comes as several water conservancy groups urged the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to set water-quality standards for the toxins in the algal blooms.
Algae Showing Back up at Franklin Locks and in Parts of the Caloosahatchee River
John Cassani, the Calusa Waterkeeper takes a sample of algae from the east side of the Franklin Lock and Dam on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The samples will be tested to determine if it is Cyanobacteria or blue-green algae.
Demand for Action on Blue-Green Algae & Cyanotoxins Increases
More than a dozen environmental groups have been urging Governor Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency, but the governor says, “There’s no need to do that. One, I think it would spook a lot of people, it would harm a lot of the folks in our community.”
Florida Urged to Set Standards Critical to Protecting People & Wildlife From Harmful Toxins
Conservation groups sent a letter today urging Florida officials to set water-quality standards for the harmful toxins in algal blooms that threaten the health of the state’s residents and wildlife. The request comes after the FDEP announced it would not set legal limits on the cyanotoxins that make the blooms so harmful.
Water Experts Worry Blue-Green Algae and Red Tide Could Create ‘Perfect Storm’
Blue-green algae is sitting on parts of Lake Okeechobee right now. We’ve also seen the algae streaks in the Caloosahatchee River near Alva and Fort Myers Shores. The lake is about a foot higher than the Army Corps would like it to be at this time of year.
Blue-Green Algae Concerns Mount on Caloosahatchee Amid Rainy Season
Blue-green algae has become a problem recently on the Caloosahatchee. Green and slimy blue-green algae is something many in Southwest Florida have seen in abundance in the past, and what is being seen now might not clear up soon because the rainy season is underway.
FGCU & Lee County Study on Algae Clean-up to Yield Results by Summer 2022
The Calusa Waterkeeper says we are ahead of schedule this year when it comes to the amount of algae in our waters. Lee County is now teaming up with Florida Gulf Coast University on a new experiment to clean up the algae.
Environmentalists Worry Expanded Property Rights Bill Will Undermine Coastal Resiliency & Conservation Efforts
State lawmakers passed a pair of bills (HB421 & HB1101) aimed at expanding protections for landowners through the Bert J. Harris, Jr., Private Property Rights Protection Act. The measures are currently awaiting Governor Ron DeSantis’ signature.
CDC Begins New Study on Blue-Green Algae
The Calusa Waterkeeper says there is an urgent need for research on the blue-green algae that has been seen on Lake Okeechobee. The non-profit, says previous studies have shown that cancer clusters in people living in south Florida may have been caused by inhaling blue-green algae blooms.
Red Tide Reported at Multiple Lee County Beaches
Florida Department of Health in Lee County reported red tide blooms near Tarpon Bay Road Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Lynn Hall Beach Park, Lover’s Key State Park and Bonita Springs Beach Park. We saw dead fish washing up on some beaches after the health alert was made.
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 28
Water quality updated from Barron Park in LaBelle. Calusa Waterkeeper, along with several environmental groups asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a State of Emergency for communities impacted by a growing blue-green algae outbreak in the Lake Okeechobee system and a red tide event in the Gulf of Mexico.