Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
Florida Legislature Must get Serious About Nutrient Pollution in the Water
So far, the Florida legislative session has not adequately addressed the nutrient pollution time bomb that leads to harmful algal blooms (HABs). Great sums of public dollars have been promised and budgeted but without substantive regulatory reform, the problem will only continue and become more expensive.
Oil Drilling Discussion has Trump Supporters Worried
President Trump’s interior department is considering leasing waters in the Gulf of Mexico for oil drilling. Trump supporter Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Naples) is opposed to the plan and says it could derail Trump’s hopes for winning Florida in the 2020 election.
Earth Day Kicks off Week-long Festival of Events & Cleanups
Calusa Waterkeeper has created The Big Calusa, a week-long festival and cleanup. The Big Calusa begins on Earth Day, April 22, with the Calusa Kayakers cleanup party at Millennial Brewing Company in Fort Myers from 5:30-8:30 p.m., featuring musical entertainment, food trucks & vendors.
Chiquita Lock Removal Set for Hearing that Pits Cape Coral Against Conservationists
A water control structure in Cape Coral will be the focus of a hearing this week as environmental and civic groups aim to keep the city from completely removing the Chiquita Lock. The lock was designed to retain freshwater so that it has a period of time to wash through an adjacent mangrove system, which helps clean the water.
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.