Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
As Red Tide Spreads Along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Army Corps Begins Reducing Polluted Discharges From Lake O
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to cut back on discharges from Lake Okeechobee, ending months of polluted releases as red tide conditions worsen on the Gulf Coast, where dead fish have littered beaches and toxic levels of the algae have been detected from Sanibel to Marco Island.
Studying How Highest Levels of Red Tide Affect People Along SWFL Coast
A recent map shows the highest levels of red tide along Southwest Florida’s coast. But more research needs to be done to know just how it affects air quality and humans. The last month of 2020 saw dead fish and high levels of red tide sprinkled across SWFL beaches.
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 22
For the final episode of 2020, Calusa Waterkeeper, John Cassani takes the time to thank all those that help make Calusa Waterkeeper possible. This couldn’t happen without the generous support from all of you. Thank you!
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 21
This week, Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani, informs us of Lake Okeechobee and the ongoing releases from the Army Corps of Engineers into the Caloosahatchee. There has also been a recent spike in red tide along the gulf.
Possible Red Tide Exposure Warning Prompted for Bonita Beach Park
Florida Department of Health in Lee County sent a health alert advising red tide blooms could be present along the coast near Bonita Beach Park. They’re also high levels of red tide in the Gulf off the coast of Lee and Collier County.
Fort Myers Leaders & Environmental Groups Collaborate for Billy’s Creek Clean-up
The contaminated water in Billy’s Creek today is not the same water Councilman Johnny Streets remembers seeing as a child. “We used to go down to Billy’s Creek and do a lot of fishing. Not only fishing but also crabbing,” said Streets.
Researchers Warn Red Tide is Back in Southwest Florida
It may not be killing fish or burning human throats yet, but red tide is lurking along Southwest Florida’s shoreline. Scientists sampling water for Karenia brevis, the microscopic toxic algae that produce red tide, find concentrations are declining along many Sanibel beaches
Florida Law does Little to Clean up Waterways
Florida’s waterways have been choked by blue-green algae and red tide for years, and are now on life support. However, the Clean Waterways Act signed into law this summer does very little to help Florida’s ailing waterways.
Aerial Images of SWFL Shores Shows Dark Water Discharge
A non-profit organization dedicated to protecting waterways in Lee County took pictures of shorelines to show the effect of recent water releases from Lake Okeechobee. Plus, researchers from SCCF detected a medium level of red tide in the waters around Sanibel.
Construction Site Runoff Causing Murky Water in Downtown Fort Myers
There is brown water working its way into the Caloosahatchee River. It’s happening next to two construction sites off West First Street in Downtown Fort Myers. Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani said he has sent photos of the turbid runoff to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
A New Approach is Needed for Sustaining Florida’s Waters
The importance and overwhelming support for the “Right To Clean Water” Charter Amendment passed by Orange County voters should not be underestimated. Linked to the Rights of Nature movement, this is a clear indictment of Florida policymakers that don’t have the political will to prevent further decline of state waters.
Saving Estero Bay Benefit Features Hollywood Royalty
The executive director of the Calusa Waterkeeper has enjoyed some successes of late as his organization was one of three environmental groups who won a recent lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers to force a study of the impacts of releases on threatened and endangered species.