Originally published in The News-Press on May 12, 2021 by Adam Regan Facing a significant threat growing toxic blue-green algae outbreak in the Lake Okeechobee system and a red tide in the Gulf of Mexico, Gov. Ron DeSantis stopped in Fort Myers. Here, he met with...
Water Groups Plea for Algae Action from Gov. DeSantis as More Blooms Appear in SWFL Waterways Originally published by FOX4 News on May 10, 2021 Water experts from across the state met in a virtual summit to discuss concerns about the current state of Southwest...
Originally published by NBC-2 News on May 10, 2021 As the algae situation on Lake Okeechobee continues to worsen, numerous conservationists sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis urging him to stop the release of water from the lake to the Caloosahatchee River. The...
Originally published in The News-Press on May 10, 2021 by Chad Gillis Several environmental groups have asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency for communities impacted by what appears to be a growing toxic blue-green algae outbreak in the Lake...
Virtual Water Quality Summit to Address SWFL Algae Issues Originally published by WINK News on May 10, 2021 A group of water experts is taking its concerns about the state of Southwest Florida’s waterways to lawmakers Monday in the SWFL Virtual Water Summit hosted by...
Researchers Trying to Find Ways to Kill Blue-Green Algae as it Begins to Reappear Originally published by FOX4 News on April 28, 2021 Blue-green algae is showing up again in the Caloosahatchee River. There’s enough of it that the Florida Department of Health has put...
Two Algae Health Alerts Issued in Lee County as Community on Watch Originally published by WINK News on April 27, 2021 Two areas in Southwest Florida are being closely monitored as fears of another algae outbreak grow. The Franklin Lock in Olga and the Alva boat ramp...
Originally published by ABC-7 News on April 26, 2021 People are finding algae in the Caloosahatchee River near Fort Myers Shores and Alva. The Lee County Health Department sent warnings about the potentially toxic water this week. The county said the Florida...
Originally published by Fort Myers Beach Talk on April 23, 2021 Progress on the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Project was announced on Thursday, Earth Day, by Gov. Ron DeSantis. South Florida Water Management District Governing Board member Chauncey...
Health Alert and Warning of Blue-Green Algae Issued for Alva Boat Ramp in Lee County Originally published by WINK News on April 22, 2021 The Florida Department of Health in Lee County is issuing a health alert for the Alva Boat Ramp based on reports of algae toxins...
Originally published in The News-Press on April 21, 2021 by Chad Gillis State health officials released a public advisory Wednesday for the upper portion of the Caloosahatchee River estuary, saying the public should not swim there or touch the water. The Florida...
Originally published in The News-Press on April 17, 2021 by Chad Gillis Environmental groups and water quality experts are paying more attention to Lake Okeechobee as blue-green algae levels continue to spike in some areas of the system. The Florida Department of...
Water Quality Tested After Midge Flies Invade Areas of Lee County Originally published by WINK News on April 12, 2021 After swarms of midge flies invaded areas of Lee County, water quality was cited as a possible reason. The bugs covered walls and lanai screens,...
Originally published in The News-Press on April 7, 2021 by Chad Gillis Federal water managers slowed releases to both the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers over the weekend in an effort to slow Lake Okeechobee’s recession rate. Average flows to the...
Originally published in USA Today on April 6, 2021 by Chad Gillis and Zac Anderson Environmental groups worry that releases from the Piney Point wastewater treatment facility near Tampa Bay will eventually fuel an algae bloom that could harm areas of coastal Florida....
Officials Announce a Second Breach Concern in Florida Phosphate Reservoir Originally published by WINK News on April 5, 2021 A wastewater reservoir in Manatee County is on the verge of collapse. If the Piney Point reservoir collapses, a 20-foot wall of water is...
Hazardous Water Leaking from Retention Pond in Manatee County Might Impact Southwest Florida Originally published by WINK News on April 4, 2021 At the end of last week, hazardous water began leaking from a retention pond at a former phosphate processing plant in...
Originally published in The News-Press on April 4, 2021 by Chad Gillis Water quality throughout the historic Everglades has become more concerning for many scientists and environmental advocates in recent years as many of Florida’s ailing waterways continue to...
Originally published in Pine Island Eagle on March 31, 2021 by Paulette LeBlanc First Officer Peter Karas of the St. James City Boat Club wants everyone to be aware of the second annual Clean Water Week, which kicked off Saturday, March 20. According to Karas, about...
Originally published in The News-Press on March 29, 2021 by Amy Bennett Williams Fair is fair. That’s the message Lee County’s commission and all of its mayors hope the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes to heart as it makes future decisions about releasing polluted...
Originally published in The News-Press on March 23, 2021 by Chad Gillis Coastal urbanization is the top factor driving pollution from the Tampa Bay area south to Collier County, and the water quality in many of those counties declined over a recent three-year period....
Boaters Volunteer to Clean SWFL Waterways During Clean Water Week Originally published by WINK News on March 20, 2021 It is Clean Water Week and the St. James City Boat Club is joining the Calusa Waterkeeper to help clear debris and test the quality of the water in...
Originally released by the Center for Biological Diversity on March 19, 2021 A scientific study published this week concludes that Florida manatees are chronically exposed to glyphosate because of application of the pesticide to sugarcane and aquatic weeds. The study...
Originally published in The News-Press on March 19, 2021 by Chad Gillis Lake Okeechobee is at the center of the historic Everglades, and releases are conducted to the Caloosahatchee River regularly to help lower lake levels. Historically, the Caloosahatchee River was...
Congressman Byron Donalds Files Bill to Keep Federal Government Monitoring Algal Blooms Originally published by WINK News on March 18, 2021 Even during a possible government shutdown, Congressman Byron Donalds wants the federal government to continue monitoring...
Originally published in The News-Press by Chad Gillis on March 10, 2021 A state agency charged with managing the region’s waters spent millions of dollars on the Caloosahatchee and other reservoirs as well as smaller projects expected to improve water quality in...
One Million Gallons of Untreated Wastewater Spilled in Charlotte County Originally published by WINK News on March 2, 2021 A million gallons of untreated wastewater spilled in a Southwest Florida county, in the middle of crews working to improve the area’s sewage...
Originally published by The News-Press on February 13, 2021 by Amy Bennett Williams. For decades, the city of Fort Myers has polluted its surrounding waters, often with raw sewage. Now, a reckoning is at hand. After months of investigation and negotiation with the...
Originally published by Naples Daily News on February 12, 2021 by Chad Gillis Lake Okeechobee levels are peaking at nearly 15.5 feet above sea level, but the Caloosahatchee River and its estuary are in a sweet spot when it comes to freshwater flows and proper salinity...
Fort Myers City Leaders Seek Answers in DEP Fine Originally published by FOX4 News on February 11, 2021 “I’m tired of kicking this can down the road,” Fort Myers City Councilman Johnny Streets tells FOX 4. The “can” he’s referring to is getting...
