Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
Public Invited to Play Role in Battle Over Removing Chiquita Lock
The city of Cape Coral stands ready to rally the public in the next legal battle to dismantle the Chiquita Lock, hiring lawyers who promise to use public involvement to convince regulators to get rid of the lock. City-hired experts are expected to hold public meetings to describe aspects of the project and to ask questions.
Saving Estero Bay and Southwest Florida’s Waterways
Our economy, tourism, recreation — even our health — all depend on the quality of our waterways. And the waterways we love are in dire straits. They need our help. Think about the magnificent body of water that is Estero Bay, Florida’s first Aquatic Preserve.
Fecal Indicator Bacteria Found in Water at Pine Island Park
The water at a Pine Island park has tested positive for fecal indicator bacteria and there are no warning signs. Tropical Point Park is open for fishing and kayaking, but “swimmers swim at their own risk.” Kaye Vaughn, a volunteer ranger with Calusa Waterkeeper took water samples at the park.
Oil Soaked Bird Rescued on Fort Myers Beach by Calusa Waterkeeper Ranger
CROW volunteer and Calusa Waterkeeper ranger Robert Howell rescued a great blue heron covered in oil at Bowditch Point Park in Fort Myers Beach. After a week of rehabilitation, including multiple baths to wash out the oil and peel it off, the bird was released at Bunche Beach Preserve.
Water Releases from Lake Okeechobee to Begin
Col. Andrew Kelly with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said releases from the lake will resume and will head both east and west down the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers. The corps will likely release 4,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) to the west and 1,800 to the east.
When it Comes to our Water Quality: Challenge the Messenger
Florida has always had problems with water pollution during the modern era. This is not surprising considering the historic rate of population growth and landscape conversion to more intensive uses. But, perhaps more alarming is the accelerated rate of water quality impairment.
Researchers Take More Samples from Billy Creek in Fort Myers
People are concerned about what’s in Billy Creek, so once again, researchers went out to take samples of the water. “One of the pillars of our mission is to strive for swimmable water,” said John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper. The Calusa Waterkeeper and an environmental consultant for the city dove in.
Letter of Appreciation from City of Stuart
A partial ruling was recently reached by a federal judge on our lawsuit involving the Army Corps’ failure to assess Lake Okeechobee discharges’ impacts on downstream endangered species. In the wake of this recent decision, we received the following letter of appreciation from the Mayor of Stuart, Florida, Michael J. Meier.
Calusa Waterkeeper’s John Cassani Addresses Misleading Information in Billy’s Creek Workshop
During a Fort Myers city council workshop, many vital facts relevant to the concerns of Calusa Waterkeeper and the general public, were conspicuously missing from the City’s presentations. The following letter is Calusa Waterkeeper, John Cassani’s official public response to that meeting.
Estero Bay Film Premiere Part of Calusa Waterkeeper Benefit
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the designation of the Estero Bay tributaries as Outstanding Florida Waters. To commemorate the occasion, Calusa Waterkeeper will present “Saving Estero Bay,” an online benefit to restore Estero Bay’s tributaries.
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 19
John Cassani informs us that the ACOE recently announced they may have to start discharging Lake Okeechobee water into the Caloosahatchee. Plus, there has been a recent fish kill in Bonita Springs and other water quality issues arising in the Fort Myers and Cape Coral areas.
Calusa Waterkeeper Named Finalist in Cape Coral Community Foundation Awards
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the Cape Coral Community Foundation will host the 4th annual ENPY Awards – Excellence in Nonprofit Performance Yearly awards ceremony. Calusa Waterkeeper has been named a finalist in the Nonprofit Organization of the Year category.