Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
Environmental Groups say Latest Water Bill is Bad for Florida
Environmental groups across the state are challenging the bill recently signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis that is supposed to help clean up Florida’s ailing waterways. Critics of the bill say it fails to advance Florida’s water quality standards and regulations and is actually worse than having no new water laws at all.
Fort Myers has a Water Pollution Problem and FDEP Promises Penalties
Over the past several months, the agency that protects Florida’s environment has juggled several major pollution incidents in Fort Myers. The troubles have come from causes ranging from inadequately protected construction sites to aging infrastructure including a 193,000-gallon sewage spill in March.
Lake Okechobee Blue-Green Algae Bloom Shrinks in Size
Recent satellite imagery shows a shrinking blue-green algae bloom covering less than half of Lake Okeechobee, with the densest patches being concentrated along the northwest shore. However, it’s still too early in the summer to know whether or not a major bloom will manifest this year.
Foul Water Returns to Matlacha’s Shores
As it did a few months ago, foul water again surrounds Matlacha as the Fourth of July holiday looms, worrying residents and business owners. Starting this spring, conditions have fluctuated from intermittently icky to full-on dreadful. What the FDEP is doing to measure or help remains unclear.
Water Quality a Concern in Matlacha Pass as Eels Surface
Concerns are rising over the water quality of Matlacha Pass after cloudy-looking water was spotted, bringing eels and other sea life to the surface for air. “The water quality is very poor, there are suspended solids in the water and macroalgae that’s coating the bottom that may be the culprit behind a lot of this,” said John Cassani.
Looking to the Future – 25 Years of Calusa Waterkeeper
We are excited to release our Anniversary Commemorative publication recognizing our 25-year history, starting as CRCA – Riverwatch in 1995. This expanded souvenir newsletter is chock full of historical accounts from our founding and early years, along with a focus on key issues throughout our watershed.
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 14
An update from Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani regarding the cyanobacteria bloom on Lake Okeechobee and other local water quality issues. Thank you to pilots Ralph Arwood and Roy Plackis of LightHawk Conservation Flights.
SB 712: A Watered-Down Bill that Will Not Fix our Water Quality Issues
Governor DeSantis just signed into law SB 712 – the self-proclaimed “Clean Waterways Act” – an ambitious misnomer for a bill that claims to be the solution to our mounting water quality issues, but falls far short of that mark. This bill has been praised by its supporters as one of the most environmentally progressive pieces of legislation in over a decade.
Scientists Mapping Tape Grass in Caloosahatchee in Hopes of Helping Species Recover
A group of local scientists are mapping out critical marine habitats in the Caloosahatchee in hopes that tape grass will flourish here again. SCCF and FGCU secured a $264,000, two-year grant from the U.S. EPA to map tape grass habitat in the fresher portion of the river.
Saharan Dust may Impact Southwest Florida Coastal Waters
A gigantic dust column from Africa’s Sahara Desert has traveled thousands of miles and will eventually settle over the U.S. The dust is so thick it can be seen in satellite images, and once it reaches Southwest Florida, it may impact water quality.
Saharan Dust could Ramp Up Red Tide off our Coast
The Saharan dust headed our way this week could help feed red tide. In a Facebook post, Calusa Waterkeeper recently tested reddish patches three miles off of Big Carlos Pass. The test confirmed marine cyanobacteria Trichodesmium, also known as sea sawdust.
Blue-Green Algae Bloom Covering more than Half of Lake Okeechobee
A blue-green algae bloom has taken over more than half of Lake Okeechobee. Satellite photos show the 720-square-mile lake as being mostly covered with a green sheen. “Based on the satellite imagery it looks like more than half of the lake has a bloom evident, so I’d estimate a 400-square-mile bloom,” said Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani.