Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
Moms for Clean Water Initiative Working for Change
Waterkeeper’s Florida now has a new initiative, Moms for Clean Water, asking moms to write a letter to first lady Casey DeSantis to share how your kids are impacted by the poor water quality. Corey McCloskey is doing her part by educating others through a water quality task force.
Waterkeepers Florida Recommends State Standards for Cyanotoxins
Waterkeepers Florida submitted comments to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, as part of their triennial review process. In the letter, we lay out the history and importance of Florida accepting and codifying a numerical standard for cyanotoxins.
First Seasonal Rains Causing Pollutants to Flush Toward Rivers & Gulf
The beginning of the rainy season brings with it a concentrated blast of nutrient-rich waters to rivers, lakes and bays as heavy rains wash off months of built-up pollution. It’s called the “first flush effect,” and it’s been happening across the state in recent weeks.
Return of Florida’s Toxic Algae Season Signals need for Bolder Solutions
Floridians re-awakened in recent days to our annual horror show: The return of highly toxic blue-green algae. We know a lot about the things that play an outsized role in triggering our recurring toxic nightmare and yet we fail to take any meaningful steps to reduce this escalating issue.
Conservation Groups Sue Federal Agencies Over Lake O Releases
Enjoy an interview by WGCU Media with John Cassani from Calusa Waterkeeper, and Jaclyn Lopez, Florida director at the Center for Biological Diversity, to get the latest on their lawsuit against federal agencies including the US ACOE, FWS and NMFS.
Government Watchdog says State & DEP Misleading Public about Drinking Water Quality
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, (PEER) released a report last week that says more than half of the state’s drinking water facilities have violations that aren’t being reported to the public by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Calusa Waterkeeper Tackles Water Quality and Public Health
Ground-breaking research – particularly on environmental toxicity and potential inhalation risks – sent flashing alarms that the health threats from HABs may be exponentially more dangerous than we surmised, lending increased urgency to communicating the most current data to a public starved for information.
Environmental Groups Filed a Lawsuit Against Lake Okeechobee Water Releases
Calusa Waterkeeper, John Cassani filed a lawsuit yesterday with the Waterkeeper Alliance and Center for Biological Diversity against the Army Corps of Engineers for failing to address human and wildlife concerns in regards to Lake Okeechobee water releases.
Summit to Address Public Health Risks of Harmful Algal Blooms
The Calusa Waterkeeper invites the public and healthcare professionals to a public water summit to include a screening of the groundbreaking documentary “Toxic Puzzle,” followed by an expert panel, including two scientists featured in the documentary.
As Toxic Algae Blooms Spawn, Suit Demands Lake O Discharges Stop
Three conservation groups sued three federal agencies, demanding Okeechobee releases into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers cease until the U.S. ACOE meets a December 2018 commitment to update its release schedule in compliance with the Endangered Species Act.
Words from the Waterkeeper
Check in with Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani for the very first installment of the CWK vlog!
Lawsuit Launched to Stop Toxic Algae Bloom Releases From Lake Okeechobee
A lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Florida challenges the U.S. ACOE’s refusal to address the harms to human health and wildlife like sea turtles and Florida manatees from the lake’s toxic, nutrient-rich discharges into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers and their estuaries.