Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
U.S. Sugar Files Lawsuit Against Army Corps over Lake Okeechobee Management
U.S. Sugar filed a lawsuit in federal court against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, claiming a violation of regulations and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The ACOE has deviated from the LORS 2008 schedule to help curb discharges to the East & West coast during a HAB event on Lake O.
Army Corps Places Blue-green Algae Warning Signs at Franklin Lock
The ACOE posted signs warning people of potential blue-green algae at Franklin Lock. It’s something Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani has been waiting years for. While he’s seen warning signs from the county, he said its the first time he’s seen a warning from a state or federal agency.
New Medical Code will Monitor Toxic Algae Sickness
Healthcare providers have a new medical code to document illnesses related to red tide or blue-green algae: Z77.121. “The more data that’s collected, the more incidents of health problems caused by toxic algae, the better the grasp healthcare providers and government agencies have on the extent of the problem,” said K.C. Schulberg, executive director of Calusa Waterkeeper.
Tickets Going Fast for Calusa Waterkeeper Summit & Documentary Debut
It’s a problem we can’t ignore. Scientific evidence showing the health risks of harmful algal blooms in Southwest Florida waterways will be the focus of Calusa Waterkeeper’s “Public Health Alert – Florida Water Summit 2.”
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 4
In this week's installment, Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani shares the latest bacteria readings from 18 stations in Lee County, updates on the blue-green algae bloom in Lake Okeechobee and upcoming events you won't want to miss.
Vibrio: Florida’s Scariest Threat hasn’t Caused any Deaths in 2019
Flesh-eating disease is a scary-sounding threat, and as summer heats up, Vibrio is back in the news. But should it be? Though it’s been grabbing headlines recently in news stories and viral Facebook posts, there hasn’t been a single confirmed vibrio death in Florida this year.
Concerns Moore Haven Lock Released Water Despite Army Corps Reports
John Cassani flew in a small airplane over Moore Haven on Saturday and noticed the Moore Haven lock was open. “The lock was wide open. Which means the water can leave the lake and come into the river directly through the lock chamber,” Cassani said.
Army Corps Acknowledges Toxic Algae and Nutrients in Lake O Releases
The U.S. ACOE acknowledged it has released water from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers that has contained toxic cyanobacteria. In a hearing about the releases from Lake Okeechobee, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast questioned Maj. Gen. Scott Spellmon of the Corps.
No Warning Signs at Many SWFL Waterways Containing Fecal Matter
Enter at your own risk – that is one woman’s message as she fears a stretch of the Estero River is polluted with waste and sewage that can make people sick. FDEP calls the waterway, “verified impaired.” It means the water is polluted with bacteria above what the state claims are safe.
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 3
Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani has the most recent readings from Lake Okeechobee’s harmful algal bloom and microcystin levels. He also shares updates on bacterial hotspots happening in some popular Southwest Florida recreational waterways.
Florida Water Summit Kicks off Campaign
For Southwest Florida, summer months can mean heat, afternoon rain and, as Southwest Florida saw all too well last year, harmful algal blooms. Calusa Waterkeeper’s Florida Water Summit kicked off a campaign to better study the impact of HABs on public health.
High Levels of Bacteria Found in Estero River
Holley Rauen, a retired nurse, Calusa Waterkeeper Ranger and volunteer at the Happehatchee Center in Estero started posting signs around the Estero River and warning kayakers after she learned the FDEP’s tests showed fecal bacteria levels of over 800 in the polluted river.