Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
Florida Delegation Urges Trump to Increase Everglades Funding
Both of Florida’s Republican U.S. Senators say President Trump’s budget doesn’t include enough money for Everglades restoration. The initial budget proposal by the president includes $63 million for Everglades restoration in fiscal year 2020. Florida’s congressional delegation was hoping for $200 million.
Judge Dismisses Caloosahatchee Stakeholders’ Petition
“Once again, the Caloosahatchee estuary is going to get the short end of the stick,” Cassani said. “I mean, we’ve been at this for 18 years … With the empirical evidence presented, it’s maddening that the administrative law judge would not see the shortfall in what the district had revised the rules to.”
Florida Waterkeepers Committed to Protecting Sunshine State Waters
Waterkeepers Florida came together early February for an in-person board meeting to set goals for the 2019 Florida legislative session. They also drafted a letter to newly instated Gov. DeSantis, asking for increased protection for the state’s waterways and offering their expertise to the policy problems.
Calusa Waterkeeper Awarded Southwest Florida Community Foundation Grant
The nonprofit will use the funds from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation to engage with healthcare frontline workers and decision-makers about the effects of the harmful algae blooms that have ravaged the region’s fresh and saltwater since 2017.
Lake Okeechobee Releases Cause Concerns about Water Quality & Algae Blooms
Lake Okeechobee releases started again last week, and the results are a mixed bag for the Caloosahatchee and its delicate estuary. The volume of water is not concerning to many local environmental groups, but they do question the quality of water coming from the big lake.
North Fort Myers Site at Moody River may be for New Lee County Boat Ramp
County officials are looking into acquiring property off Moody Road on Hancock Creek in North Fort Myers to become a Lee County public boat ramp, replacing a ramp in downtown Fort Myers that has closed to make way for development.
Lee County & Cape Coral Approve Water Management Plan for Yellow Fever Creek Preserve
Lee County approved an agreement with Cape Coral to construct an interconnect system between Cape Coral’s freshwater canal system in northeast Cape and the Yellow Fever Creek canal and preserve land, which is largely owned by the county.
Upcoming Event: FGCU Biodiversity Conference
Register now for FGCU’s 2019 Conference: Red Tide Impacts on Biodiversity in the Gulf happening on March 14, 2019. This is an opportunity for researchers and community leaders around the state of Florida to share their findings, and have in-depth discussions on environmental issues plaguing our state.
Public Comment Still Needed on Lake Okeechobee
John Cassani with Calusa Waterkeeper spoke to the League of Women Voters’ Environmental Committee at the Cape Coral Public Library. He spoke about water quality issues in our area, and how to keep the momentum going for recent changes.
Green Algae Spotted at Franklin Lock in Alva
WINK News spotted green algae at the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam in Alva Friday, where algae build up is mainly seen at the south end of the lock. “What concerns me most is another consecutive year of these harmful algal blooms,” Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani said.
Programs Aiding Southwest Floridians get a Financial Shot in the Arm
Programs designed to improve the quality of life for Southwest Floridians got a shot in the arm with grants awarded them by the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. The foundation gave $596,923 to 21 local nonprofits from its Field of Interest funds, including Calusa Waterkeeper.
You Can Have a Say in Lake Okeechobee Discharges
Bringing more balance back to the Lake O Regulation Schedule (LORS) is vitally important. Harmful algal blooms stemming from Lake releases have impacted people’s health, their property values and further diminished the waters and wildlife that our tourist-based economy depends on.