Calusa Waterkeeper
In the News
Improving Water Quality Tops Discussion at Greater Pine Island Civic Association
Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus John Cassani was invited to give a presentation on the Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) for the Caloosahatchee at the January meeting of the Greater Pine Island Civic Association.
Officials Investigating Fuel Spill in North Fort Myers Canal
The FDEP is investigating after fuel was found in a North Fort Myers canal along North Gulf Circle. Calusa Waterkeeper, Codty Pierce said this could be a deadly mistake. It only takes a small amount of fuel to kill marine life.
A Dire Wake-Up Call: If Southwest Florida Water Quality Tanks, so does Our Economy
A new report links Florida water quality deterioration to the potential for a multi-billion dollar economic crash and job loss of over 40,000. The damage could include $5.2 billion to the area economy, 43,000 jobs lost, $17.8 billion in property values and $460 million in fishing revenue.
New Bill Proposed to Allow Gambling Revenue for Environmental Protections
As sports betting takes off in Florida, there is a lot of money the state could make from it. Enough that state leaders are already looking at what they can spend it on. Parks and waterways could be the real winner with two bills starting in the 2024 legislative session.
Florida Right to Clean Water Fundraiser Announced
The Lee County Chapter of Florida Right to Clean Water is hosting an exclusive fundraiser event on Sunday, January 28th and you are invited to attend!
Protect Captiva & Captiva Civic Association File Petition Against County Land-use Changes
Representing the Protect Captiva coalition, the Captiva Civic Association (CCA) filed a petition with Lee County on Jan. 8 challenging the new land development regulations that increase building heights on Captiva.
How Much Nitrogen Pollution is on Our Waterways?
While people love living along the canals in Cape Coral, recently the question was raised, “how much nutrient pollution is actually getting into these canals?” The answer is thousands of pounds of nitrogen, according to documents released during the Chiquita Lock removal hearings in December.
Hearing on Chiquita Lock Concludes
A hearing to determine whether the state should issue a permit allowing the city of Cape Coral to remove the Chiquita Lock concluded Wednesday afternoon. Groups await a written decision by Administrative Law Judge Suzanne Van Wyk, which will be a recommended final order.
Chiquita Lock Hearing Resumed this Week
The hearing was continued after extensive questioning of experts concerning the water pollution generated by Cape Coral ran longer than expected. Petitioners also pointed out that Cape Coral has long held a permit to update the lock with improvements that would benefit wildlife, boaters, and water quality.
Statement of J. Michael Hannon, Petitioners’ Representative in the Chiquita Lock Removal Case
John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus, in testimony at the trial on the removal of the Chiquita Boat Lock, exposed major failings in the FDEP which allow the City of Cape Coral to continue polluting the waters of Matlacha Pass and the Caloosahatchee without adverse consequences.
Florida Posts ‘cryptic’ Public Notice for Proposed Changes to Estero Bay Preserve
Some environmental advocates and researchers are concerned that a detrimental change may be planned for the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve, which has been under state protections since 1966. The state published a public notice recently that gave very little details, only that a change will be proposed in 2024.
Case Against Chiquita Lock Removal Continues
Plaintiffs who are fighting the removal of the Chiquita Lock in Cape Coral have been granted the opportunity to move forward and pursue their claims on the merits of the case.