Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
Florida Department of Health Emails Show Agency Struggled to Manage Algae Crisis
With toxic algae fouling Southwest Florida’s inland waterways and coastline last year, state health officials faced a flood of worried questions as people turned to them for crisis leadership. Yet through it all, the Florida Department of Health stayed largely in the background.
Some Septic Bills Moving Forward Would Require Routine Inspections of Onsite Tanks
Some bills aimed at cleaning up pollution from old and leaky septic tanks are making their way through subcommittees in Tallahassee while others are floundering. Proposed laws target septic tanks, call for inspections every five years and promote conversion to centralized sewage treatment.
Possible Blue-Green Algae Indicator Showing up in Local Water Quality Samples
Water quality scientists and environmental groups are worried the seeds could be planted for another crippling bloom, as cyanobacteria is still being found in the Everglades system. A blue-green algae indicator called phycocyanin has shown up at elevated levels in the Caloosahatchee.
Science Officer Appointment Gets Support
With water quality at the forefront of the issues to which Gov. Ron DeSantis has pledged remedy, actions this week continue to follow promises made along the campaign trail with the appointment of the first-ever State of Florida Chief Science Officer, Dr. Thomas K. Frazer.
The Big Calusa Festival Begins on Earth Day
Originally published in Gulfshore Business on April 3, 2019 Calusa Waterkeeper has created The Big Calusa, a family-friendly, recreational, educational and cultural week-long festival and clean-up to reconnect the community in a positive way with local waterways. The...
Eden Oaks Development Update
The ill-conceived Eden Oaks development moves forward with a Lee County zoning hearing scheduled for April 23rd. Calusa Waterkeeper has opposed this development located in mangrove wetlands along Shell Point Boulevard in South Fort Myers.
Rooney Asks CDC to Share Knowledge on Toxic Algae Bloom Health Effects
U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney is pressing the CDC to share what it knows about the short- and long-term health effects of the toxic algae that befouled Southwest Florida last year. The congressman’s efforts were welcome news to Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani.
The Big Calusa festival to showcase SWFL’s water
Southwest Florida’s water is worth fighting for – and celebrating. So Calusa Waterkeeper has created The Big Calusa: a family-friendly, recreational, educational and cultural week-long festival and clean-up to reconnect our community in a positive way with all we love about our waterways.
ACTION NEEDED: Support These Two Stormwater Bills
Ask your senators to support the revision language in SB 1344 and that additional language be included that applies the new criteria to all relevant waters of the state, not just for impaired waters. SB 1344 will be reviewed by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
President Trump arrives in Florida to visit Lake Okeechobee and Herbert Hoover Dike
President Donald Trump toured both the Herbert Hoover Dike and the Lake Okeechobee, where he was able to see areas where blue-green algae has already begun to develop. Recent tests show pockets of algae in the Caloosahatchee on its way toward Fort Myers.
Waterkeepers Florida Legislative Notes
Florida’s 2019 Legislative Session is moving fast. Florida Waterkeepers provides a synopsis of bills related to water quality and policy and their stance on each including reasoning and action items.
Officials Ready Mullock Creek to Drain Floodwaters, but at what Cost to the Environment?
Mullock Creek in south Lee County flows to Estero Bay and is part of the Outstanding Florida Waters program, named by state statute to be “worthy of special protection because of their natural attributes.” The creek is being cleared of vegetation following disastrous flooding in 2017.