Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
Hearing on Chiquita Lock Removal Wraps Up
A legal challenge to the state intent to issue a permit for the removal of the Chiquita Lock has concluded. Rebuttal witness John Cassani said he believed the removal of the lock would be detrimental to Matlacha Pass, which has been designated as an outstanding waterway by the EPA.
Florida’s New Blue-Green Algae Task Force
WGCU Media catches up with Florida Gulf Coast University’s Professor of Marine Science, Dr. Mike Parsons, to learn about the new Blue-Green Algae Task Force. They also check in with John Cassani to get the latest on what he’s seeing in area waterways.
Green Slime Along the Caloosahatchee River Concerns Neighbors
The WINK News drone spotted algae near the Edison Bridge in North Fort Myers. Even more concerning, the Calusa waterkeeper tweeted: Cyanobacteria pigment levels in the water at the Franklin Lock are 15 times higher than they were last year at this time.
Governor DeSantis will Attend Rooney’s Roundtable on Harmful Algal Blooms at FGCU
Governor Ron DeSantis will attend U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney’s multi-agency roundtable on harmful algal blooms at FGCU followed by a press conference. Rooney’s decision to keep the gathering closed to citizens and the media has been controversial.
Expert Comments to the ACOE for Lake Okeechobee’s Regulation Schedule
The Center for Biological Diversity joined forces with Calusa Waterkeeper, Sierra Club, Bullsugar and Save the Manatee Club to submit scoping comments for the ACOE’s review regarding an upcoming revision to the Lake Okeechobee System Operations Manual.
Study Shows Bad Septic Tanks Polluting Water
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University presented results of a study to Lee County Board of Commissioners to show the sources of bacteria polluting the Caloosahatchee River. John Cassani with Calusa Waterkeeper says some of the septic tanks could be up to 60 years old.
Kayakers Gather to Help Clean up Southwest Florida Waterways
Kayakers set out to pick up more trash in our water to wrap up the Calusa Clean-Up of our Waterways. An idea started by Keep Lee County Beautiful and Calusa Waterkeeper to get you to pick up trash in Lee County, by using #CalusaCleanup and showing what you picked up.
Southwest Florida Under a ‘Code Brown’ Following Rash of Fecal Bacteria Reported in Local Waterways
In the past few weeks, several sites in the Fort Myers area have experienced beach closures and health warnings due to an outbreak of fecal bacteria. Over the Easter holiday weekend, a dead manatee washed ashore near the beach at the Cape Coral Yacht Club.
Week-long ‘The Big Calusa’ Underway
In an effort to reconnect the community to the waterways, Calusa Waterkeeper, a nonprofit clean water advocacy group, has kicked off the inaugural The Big Calusa, a recreational, educational and cultural family friendly week-long festival this week.
Fecal Bacteria is the New Water Crisis in Southwest Florida
There is a new water crisis in Southwest Florida. It is not algae or red tide, but bacteria and fecal matter where we kayak and fish. John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper said the test results made public by the Department of Environmental Protection are alarming.
Calusa Waterkeeper Encourages Year-round Cleanups, not Just on Earth Day
A local organization wants to keep the Earth Day clean-ups going. Calusa Waterkeeper, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting some of the largest waterways in Southwest Florida, is kicking off the Big Calusa, a week-long cleanup effort of local waterways.
Estero River Teeming with Bacteria but Lack Warnings for Danger
The Estero River has around 26 times the level of bacteria than the Florida Department of Health said is safe. John Casani, Calusa waterkeeper confirms tests done last week show the Estero River with unhealthy levels of fecal bacteria, according to the FDEP.