Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
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.
Where did Toxic Algae Vacuumed from Lee County Canals Go?
Southwest Florida’s recent toxic algae blooms were unprecedented in scope, persistence and sheer nastiness. Also unprecedented was how Lee County disposed of some of the crud, shown by science to be potentially carcinogenic to humans.
Research Shows Algae Toxins are Airborne and Reach Deep into Human Lungs
Anyone breathing near the dense blue-green algae blooms that plagued the region last summer likely inhaled some toxins deep into their lungs, FGCU research shows. What’s not yet clear is what impact that exposure could have to human health.
A Case for Barriers in Cape Coral’s Spreader Waterways
Calusa Waterkeeper volunteer Jason Pim created this video for us showing the silting that resulted in Matlacha Pass once the Ceitus Barrier was removed from Cape Coral’s North Spreader waterway.