by Calusa Waterkeeper | Aug 22, 2024 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Litigation, Press, Stormwater
Originally published in the News-Press by Chad Gillis on August 22, 2024 Some environmental groups and residents fought the city over the issue, saying removing the lock will impact endangered species like the smalltooth sawfish, which breed and live near the lock....
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jun 17, 2024 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Featured, Litigation, Press, Stormwater
Originally published in the News-Press by Amy Bennett Williams on June 17, 2024 Last year, several prominent environmental nonprofits withdrew from the case, after the city hired a law firm known for what Hannon calls “scorched earth” tactics designed to...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jun 10, 2024 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Litigation, Press, Stormwater
Originally published in the Cape Coral Breeze by CJ Haddad on June 10, 2024 Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus John Cassani, in testimony at the trial on the removal of the Chiquita Boat Lock, attempted to expose major failings in the FDEP which allow the city of Cape Coral...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Dec 21, 2023 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Featured, Press
Originally published by Cape Coral Breeze on December 21, 2023 by CJ Haddad 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. The next steps will be post-hearing...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Dec 18, 2023 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Featured, Press
Originally published by The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation on December 18, 2023 The hearing to remove the Chiquita Lock in Cape Coral resumed on Dec. 18. The hearing was continued after extensive questioning of experts concerning the water pollution generated...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Dec 13, 2023 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Featured
John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper Emeritus, in testimony at the trial on the removal of the Chiquita Boat Lock, exposed major failings in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection which allow the City of Cape Coral to continue polluting the waters of Matlacha...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Nov 10, 2023 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Press
The Fight Over the Chiquita Lock Removal is Heading to Trial Originally published by FOX4 News on November 10, 2023 The fight over the removal of Chiquita Lock is heading to trial, with Administrative Law Judge Suzanne Van Wyk ruling that the lawsuit can proceed. This...
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 | Aug 7, 2023 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Featured, Press
Op-Ed originally published by The News-Press on August 6, 2023 and written by Matt DePaolis, Environmental Policy Director for the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) Something needs to be done about the Chiquita Lock. The lock was designed to prevent Cape...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Mar 12, 2020 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Featured, Press
Originally published in The News-Press by Bill Smith on March 12, 2020 The state Department of Environmental Protection has given final denial to an application from the city of Cape Coral for a permit to tear down the Chiquita Lock near Cape Harbour in the southwest...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Dec 13, 2019 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Press
State Judge Recommends Chiquita Lock Remain in Cape Coral Originally published by WINK News on December 13, 2019 The City of Cape Coral wants the Chiquita Lock gone, but environmentalists say it will cause problems and want it to stay. A state judge agrees the lock...
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 Jason Pim | Dec 14, 2018 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Press
As seen in a News-Press OpEd submitted by Jason Pim, Calusa Waterkeeper Volunteer Ranger, December 14, 2018 Opinions differ in Cape Coral surrounding the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s permission to remove the Chiquita Lock. This aging facility...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Nov 15, 2018 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals
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. How does the City of Cape Coral’s removal of barriers like...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Nov 10, 2018 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Planning, Press
Originally published in The News-Press by David Dorsey on November 10, 2018 Environmental watchdogs are at odds with the City of Cape Coral and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection over the potential removal of the Chiquita Lock. The lock, located near...
by Calusa Waterkeeper | Jan 11, 2018 | Cape Coral Spreader Canals, Featured, Planning
Originally posted in the News-Press as an OpEd submitted by John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper on January 11, 2018 The City of Cape Coral seeks a permit from DEP to permanently remove the Chiquita Lock, just as it removed the Ceitus Boat Lift 10 years ago with serious...