by Calusa Waterkeeper | Nov 2, 2023 | Featured, Press
Originally published by The News-Press on November 2, 2023 by Luis Zambrano After a startling dropout by several high-profile Southwest nonprofits, the challenge to keep Cape Coral’s Chiquita Boat Lock, a nearly 50-year-old manmade barrier, in operation moves...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Aug 27, 2023 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Featured, Press
Originally published by The News-Press on August 27, 2023 by Luis Zambrano Several high-profile groups and nonprofits bowed out of a legal challenge to keep Cape Coral’s Chiquita Boat Lock, a nearly 50-year-old manmade barrier, in operation, citing fears of...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Aug 24, 2023 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Featured, Litigation, Stormwater
Calusa Waterkeeper, Inc. has withdrawn from the case, others will proceed. The Calusa Waterkeeper Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to withdraw as named petitioners challenging the removal of the Chiquita Lock in Cape Coral. This decision was made not...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jul 7, 2023 | Bacteria Monitoring, Press
Originally published by Pine Island Eagle on June 7, 2023 This month out of the 30 sites throughout the watershed tested by the Calusa Waterkeeper, 23% passed and 77% failed. One of the newest sites continues to unveil high FIB numbers — North Fort Myers Riverbend...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Apr 11, 2023 | Featured, Press
Originally published by WINK News on April 11, 2023 The color of some of the mangroves from above? Grey – like the mood as we note the coastline’s defenses are weakened. The color of the sky this day, also grey. The new Calusa Waterkeeper, Captain Codty Pierce noted...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jan 27, 2023 | Bacteria Monitoring, Press
Originally published by NBC-2 News on January 27, 2023 Southwest Florida water experts are warning beachgoers, boaters, and the like – go in at your own risk. Calusa Waterkeeper and the Department of Health samplings show how even at beaches like Lynn Hall Beach Park,...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Nov 3, 2022 | Featured, Press
As we honor John’s Cassani’s retirement as Calusa Waterkeeper and his career of service, here are but some highlights of his immense commitment to our environment and community. John was a founding member of Caloosahatchee River Citizens Association (CRCA)...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Sep 20, 2022 | Featured, Press
Guest Editorial originally published by The News-Press on September 20, 2022 and written by John Cassani The latest salvo on Florida’s declining water quality, this time from Florida’s Chief Science Officer Dr. Mark Rains concludes, “The pollution problem has been...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Aug 17, 2022 | Featured, Press
Originally published by Pine Island Eagle on August 17, 2022 Waterkeeper Ranger Sue Dahod, facilitator of the Pine Island Algae Bloom Task Force, provided an update on the condition of the water in Matlacha, at the group’s meeting Aug. 10. There is floating mat algae,...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jul 21, 2022 | Featured, Press
Originally published by Pine Island Eagle on July 21, 2022 The Harmful Algae Bloom Task Force met Wednesday, July 13, to discuss possible pertinent information on local water quality, in case it affects public health on Pine Island. The group is made up of a...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | May 2, 2022 | Featured, Harmful Algal Blooms
Calusa Waterkeeper and Wyoming-based Brain Chemistry Labs collaborate on ground breaking device to research airborne toxins from harmful algal blooms Using the most sensitive technology available for detecting harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins, the Calusa Waterkeeper...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Oct 24, 2021 | Bacteria Monitoring, Featured, Press, Stormwater
Originally published by The News-Press on October 24, 2021 by Amy Bennett Williams What’s been long suspected now is official: Southwest Florida’s most cherished waters are in trouble. From Charlotte Harbor south to San Carlos Bay, a draft state report shows...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jul 2, 2021 | Featured
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 29 This week’s updates from John include water quality in Matlacha Pass, info on a CDC study, and an event this Saturday, July 3rd at 2 pm, at Unitarian Universalist Church to support Right to Clean Water. SIGN UP FOR THE FREE...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jun 30, 2021 | Press
Group Tests Air Quality Impacts of Decomposing Algae Originally published by WINK News on June 30, 2021 Something beneath the surface of the water may impact the air we breathe. Volunteers are testing the air quality around Matlacha Pass and whether decomposing algae...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jun 25, 2021 | Featured, Press
Originally published by The News-Press on June 25, 2021 by Amy Bennett Williams As dead fish float atop mats of putrefying algae in Pine Island-area canals, some residents with a common set of symptoms have fled to the mainland. Others have sold out and left for good....
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Mar 10, 2021 | Featured, Water Testing
An Op-Ed written by John Cassani and originally published in The News-Press on March 10, 2021 For generations, Floridians have worshiped Florida’s iconic waters. They are likely the reason many people came to Florida, to swim, fish, paddle, ski, dive and enjoy all...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Oct 28, 2020 | Press
Originally published in The Pine Island Eagle by Paulette LeBlanc on October 28, 2020 Island resident and GPICA President Scott Wilkinson often finds himself running back and forth to Fort Myers to test the waters from Tropical Point Park in St. James City. After...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Oct 19, 2020
2020 Cape Coral Candidate Responses Calusa Waterkeeper (CWK) acknowledges Cape Coral’s unique relationship with water, possessing hundreds of miles of man-made canals which connect to the tidal Caloosahatchee River and Matlacha Pass. The City has also...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Apr 30, 2020 | Press
Originally published in The News-Press by Amy Bennett Williams on April 30, 2020 With the height of algae season still months away, warm weather water woes are already starting to make their presence felt in Southwest Florida. From sludgy scum hugging Matlacha pilings...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jan 13, 2020 | Press
As seen in a Naples Daily News Op-Ed submitted by John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper For the first time in over 20 years of monitoring, FDEP has declared Estero Bay impaired for nutrient pollution in 2019. The shock effect of hearing that water quality is in crisis does...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Oct 4, 2019 | Featured, Press
As seen in a News-Press OpEd submitted by John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper, October 4, 2019 The growing but little-known water quality and public health problem that won’t seem to go away is that fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) contamination has become widespread in...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jul 9, 2019 | Featured, Science
Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani has the most recent readings from Lake Okeechobee’s harmful algal bloom and microcystin levels. He also shares updates on bacterial hotspots happening in some popular Southwest Florida recreational waterways. Additional Resources:...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | May 15, 2019 | Litigation, Press
Originally published in The Cape Coral Daily Breeze by Chuck Ballaro on May 15, 2019 A legal challenge to the state intent to issue a permit for the removal of the Chiquita Lock concluded Friday following a third day of testimony from witnesses for the city and...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Apr 29, 2019 | Press
Originally published by FOX4 News on April 29, 2019 Kayakers set out to pick up more trash in our water to wrap up the Calusa Clean-Up of our Waterways this weekend. An idea started by Keep Lee County Beautiful and Calusa Waterkeeper to get you to pick up trash in Lee...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Apr 10, 2019 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Featured, Press
Originally published in The News-Press by Chad Gillis on April 10, 2019 A water control structure in southwest Cape Coral will be the focus of a hearing this week as some environmental and civic groups aim to keep the City of Cape Coral from completely removing the...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Mar 6, 2019
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Feb 19, 2019 | Planning, Press
Originally published in The News-Press by Sarah Jarvis on February 19, 2019. Lee County approved an agreement with Cape Coral on Tuesday in an attempt to help restore water flow into Matlacha Pass and the Caloosahatchee River. The agreement establishes the...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Feb 5, 2019
Impact Programs Community Collaboration Advocacy is more successful when we all work together. Calusa Waterkeeper works alongside many organizations and agencies and acknowledges that community collaboration is critical to solving our water quality issues....
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Feb 4, 2019
Impact Programs Ranger Training Calusa Waterkeeper Rangers are community volunteers interested in helping monitor and advocate for water quality issues in Southwest Florida. We hold basic training courses annually to educate new Rangers, and are currently developing...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jan 22, 2019
About Us Become a Member Calusa Waterkeeper Who We Are Calusa Waterkeeper, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the Caloosahatchee River & Estuary, Lake Okeechobee, Nicodemus Slough, Charlotte Harbor, Estero Bay, the near-shore waters...
