Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
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.
Dredging Billy’s Creek may Ease Flooding Concerns but won’t Help Water Quality
The City of Fort Myers will soon move forward with a dredging project in Billy’s Creek that’s expected to ease flooding but may not improve water quality in the ailing Caloosahatchee tributary. Funding for the project is possible thanks to an FDEP grant of $775,000.
Governor Ron DeSantis Unveils Major Environmental Reforms
A day after his inauguration, Ron DeSantis began a three-stop tour in Southwest Florida, still reeling from months of crisis-level toxic algae and red tide, to unveil a multifaceted executive order on water policy vastly different from his predecessor’s.
Calusa Waterkeeper Joins Environmental Groups in Law Suit Against Federal Agencies
The 2018 independent review of progress on Everglades restoration by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine indicated that at current funding levels, it could take 65 years to complete the presently authorized restoration projects.
Challenging the Caloosahatchee Minimum Flow Level (MFL)
For Truth Media released a video on the Caloosahatchee MFL and the harm it has caused the Caloosahatchee estuary the last 2 decades. Several local groups and municipalities are challenging SFWMD to have the MFL increased from 400 to between 700 & 1000 cfs.
Removing Chiquita Lock Without a New Barrier a Mistake
So much is at stake if we simply destroy this facility and large earthen barrier. Engaging in the fight for clean water this summer, we’ve seen evidence our state agencies have not always had the best interests of our ecosystems and health in mind.
Federal Report Shows Salt Causes Release of More Blue-Green Algae Toxins into Local Waters
A federal report suggests that the presence of salt causes blue-green algae cells to burst and release all toxins into the water. Saltwater causes the toxin-carrying membranes to rupture, releasing toxins that were stored inside the cells.