Caloosahatchee Cookbook invites you to share your favorite recipes, including picnic & boating favorites. Include your culinary secrets in the fundraiser cookbook. The sooner you submit, the better your chances of being included. [Form] [Online Form]

The Clean Water Network unveils the launch of the Clean Water Network's new and improved website. CWN now has a much more user-friendly and attractive site, an improved members-only section where information can be found on workgroups and much more. [Stormwater] [Web Site]

A red tide bloom that is strong enough to cause fish kills and cause coughing among beachgoers has been detected off the coast of Sarasota County, near Nokomis beach. Boaters, beachgoers and lifeguards have yet to spot any fish kills. [Herald Tribune]

A former ranchland is being converted into a 2000-acre wetland that will clean stormwater runoff bound for Lake Okeechobee. A new S-650 pump station in Martin County will supply the STA, largest north of the Lake. [Ripple Effect]

EPA released proposed numeric nutrient water quality criteria for lakes & flowing waters, including canals. For the Caloosahatchee, EPA's limits of 1.205 mg/L total nitrogen and 0.107 mg/L total phosphorus are 30% and 8% less than DEP limits. [EPA Report] [Numerical Limits] [Lakes] [Canals] [Comnpare Limits] [EPA Web Site]

The depate rages (or should we say the rage debates) over the proposed EPA numeric nutrient limits. Opponents of EPA will probably: (1) fight rules with political money, (2) claim a constitutional right to pollute, (3) challenge the science.
[Daytona Editorial] [Readers Debate]

Once again the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. has made a generous donation to Riverwatch covering costs to buy a Mad River Adventure 14 Canoe from Estero River Outfitters. Special thanks to Tribe member Joe Frank for arranging the donation.

The Environmental Protection Agency in mid-Januray proposed new standards for "nutrient" pollution in Florida's waterways. The EPA is now asking "those who are knowledgeable of Florida waters" to review the proposal. Some are for, some are against. [The Suwannee Democrat]

The die-off of sponges and tunicates in Matlacha Pass at the mouth of the North Spreader Canal may or may not be result of changes in salinity brought about by removal of the Ceitus Boat Lift. [Dr. Tom Fraser ]

Proposed EPA numeric standards for water quality are not likely to have a great effect on agriculture. Florida Watershed Restoration Act (FWRA) of 1999 states that BMPs administered by FDACS determine agricultural water quality actions/compliance.
[UF-IFAS]

Tetra Tech has contributed to the CRCA cruises for the 2010 Swamp Cabbage Festival. CRCA would like to thank V.P. Danny Nelson. The company provides consulting, engineering, and technical services worldwide. [Website]

CRCA would like to thank Rock Aboujaoude, David Rolls, & Alberto Betancur of Rock Enterprises, Inc. for co-sponsorship of the 2010 Riverwatch Swamp Cabbage Cruise. Rock's team delivers engineering services in the Hendry County region.

CRCA would like to thank Alan Keller of Collier County Audubon Society for the co-sponsorship of the 2010 Riverwatch Swamp Cabbage Cruise. The association is dedicated to the protection of birds and their environment. [Website]

RMA GeoLogic Consultants, Inc. led by Dan Aquaviva is a co-sponsor of the 2010 Swamp Cabbage Festival Cruises. This group specializes in geological studies and services, contact info@rma-geologic.com for more information. [Company Profile]

CRCA would like to thank Ajit Patel of Patel, Rothschild and Associates, Investment Bankers for the co-sponsorship of the 2010 Riverwatch Swamp Cabbage Cruise. Ajit is also an active cooperator on Caloosahatchee oxbows restoration projects.
[President Association Profile]

Collins Center, dedicated to advancing the important social and economic public policy issues facing Florida, is a co-sponsor of the 2010 Riverwatch Swamp Cabbage Cruise. Special thanks to Michael Maidenberg and Phillip Bacon. [Website]

Riverwatch thanks Ron Edenfield of Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc., co-sponsor of the 2010 Swamp Cabbage Cruise. ECT specializes in the resolution of complex environmental issues, designing such projects as Billy Creek mitigation park. [Website]

In 1998 EPA required Florida to set nutrient limits in water. Over a decade later, DEP had still not set numerical limits, so environmental groups sued and a judge ordered EPA to bypass DEP and set rational nutrient limits.
[Issue History]

At the Riverwatch cruise gathering, SFWMD representatives said EPA has not gotten it right in their proposed numerical nutrient limits, particularly the 0.04 mg/L total phosphorus limit for canals. Fate of EPA proposed N & P limits are uncertain. [Website]

Dr. Phil Buchanan lists two remaining primary concerns with the alternative projects package in the Ceitus Boat Lift replacement debate for Cape Coral North Spreader Canal. These are the septic-sewer issue & the mangroves (living shorelines) issue.
[Position Statement]

Retired Navy officer & current Cape Coral Councilman Pete Brandt says about the Spreader Canal issue, "Every time they request something and we give, they want more.” But in reality, the Cape has offered little to offset damage to our coastal waters.
[News Press]

Floridians have always taken for granted that we have an abundance of water — water to drink, flush, bathe in, swim in, fish in and otherwise enjoy. We have always taken for granted that we, the citizens, have some say in decisions about our water.
[Tallahassee News]

What does climate change mean for our world? That is Katharine Haynoe's question in her presentation about impacts of climate changes on the ecologic system and the alternatives to solve it. For local impacts, look no farther than Ceitus Boat Lift. [Presentation]

Calling the Peace River watershed an "important and environmentally sensitive mining region," the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency again called for a comprehensive regional impact study on phosphate strip mining within the watershed this week. [Charlotte Sun]

About 15 miles west the Atlantic, a cluster of man-made holes 60 feet deep, covering a thousand-acre expanse, ripples with dirty water. Intended to be the solution to the region's water supply needs, they are looking more and more like the problem. [Palm Beach Post]

SFWMD Governing Board voted unanimously to press forward with Gov Crist’s deal to buy 73,000 acres from the United States Sugar Corporation. The lifting of a section of the Tamiami Trail to bring freshwater to the Everglades is also under way. [New York Times]

Representative Bryan Nelson’s omnibus bill has a section on fertilizer that is designed to make it close to impossible for localities to adopt ordinances to protect water quality from nutrient pollution. [News Alert] [CS/HB 1445]

The federal judge overseeing Everglades cleanup progress endorsed the state's effort to buy vast tracts of sugar farms, calling the opportunity to ``buy out the polluters'' the most logical solution to resolving long-standing problems. [The Miami Herald]

Criticized by even the agencies mandated to clean Florida's waters (DEP & SFWMD), EPA has turned tail and run back to DC. Were EPA scientists tarred & feathered...or was it just political theater to satisfy their court order?
[News Service of Florida]

Members of the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature are taking every opportunity to gut Florida growth management and environmental protections. SB1752 by Sen. Mike Bennett & Sen. Don Gaetz is a wolf in sheep's clothing. [Audubon]

Margaret England, Vice President of Caloosahatchee River Citizen Association and master naturalist program member, is now retired. Congratulation to Margaret for her great job. She's ready to start a second career as an eco-tourism guide.

Predicting future climate change is about offering a range of potential scenarios based on a range of present-day factors, and then determining the most likely scenario." Dave Young, NASA Langley Research Center. [the Earth Science Communications Team] [Global Surface Temperature Analysis]

The March 2010 CRCA newsletter is available online. The archive provides an index to many of the newsletters dating back to 1995. Sign up to receive the newsletter by email. [March Newsletter] [Newsletter Archive]

At a special board meeting on March 22, CRCA directors discussed their perspectives on the EMA NEB projects list. Directors expressed a preference for eliminating some NEBs and augmenting/changing others. [Draft meeting minutes/notes]

When domestic wastewater is treated, a solid material accumulates in the wastewater treatment plant and must be removed periodically to keep the plant operating properly.The Department is currently considering revisions to Chapter 62-640, F.A.C. [Chapter 62-640] [Domestic Wastewater Residuals]

EPA’s settlement challenging the State of Washington’s failure to list coastal waters as “impaired” under the Clean Water Act due to reduced pH may put ocean acidification on the front line of emerging regulatory issues related to climate change. [Marten Law News]

Lake Okeechobee's water level is rising, renewing safety concerns about the aging dike relied on to guard against flooding. That has the Army Corps of Engineers dumping lake water out to sea, wasting water relied on to back up South Florida supplies. [Sun Sentinel]

A Sun Sentinel headline falsely pits environmentalists against inland port advocates. Environmental groups long ago endorsed a low-impact Hendry-Glades site over a Palm Beach County location positioned in the historic Everglades southern flow path. [Sun Sentinel]

More than 200 people attended EPA's hearings yesterday in Tampa on the Agency's proposed numeric nutrient standards for Florida. Of those who presented testimony, 74 spoke in favor of the EPA's action and only 24 were against. [St Pete Times]

While the majority at the recent public hearing in Ft. Myers supported EPA's efforts to set numerical pollution limits, most business & government speakers, such as HSA's Dr. Richard Lewis, sugested not adopting the limits and going slower.
[CSWF] [Env News Serv]

In a normal year, CRCA and other estuary advocates are begging the Corps to send an average of 300-600 cfs out of S-79. But this Mar and Apr they are sending more than 2000 cfs due to an unusually wet "dry season." [S-79 Flow Summary] [Corps Data Graph]

The current wet conditions combined with the lack of dike repairs around Lake Okeechobee and no alternative storage will result in the Corps of Engineers sending 4000 cfs down the Caloosahatchee River. Water in excess of 2400 cfs is considered bad. [US Army Corps of Engineers]

Gulf spill could take awful toll on wildlife. Local experts also fear effect on land. “Animals try to groom the oil off and they end up consuming oil, and that has all kinds of toxic effects,” said Yochem, a senior researcher at the Hubbs-SeaWorld. [Sign On San Diego]

Weeks after casting the deciding vote to approve a controversial ballot petition in Dec 2008, former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Wells joined a law firm aligned with the petition’s sponsor. Supporters of Hometown Democracy cry foul. [Broward Bulldog]

It's time county commissioners confronted the real question about mining in the agricultural area. Do they want to restrict mines to preserve farmland? Or do they want to accommodate a multimillion-dollar industry? [PalmBeachPost]

The new federal strategy for the Chesapeake region focuses on protecting and restoring the environment in communities throughout the 64,000-square-mile watershed and in its thousands of streams, creeks and rivers. [EPA]

Caloosahatchee residents normally study tracking charts of hurricanes spinning in the Gulf of Mexico. But now an even slower moving threat is keeping everyone guessing where disaster will strike and at what intensity. [Weather Channel] [Loop Current Cycle] [Prediction Models]

During the Everglades Summit on May 19 in DC, Tom Strickland announcement the Obama administration would allocate $324 million to dramatically expand bridging on Tamiami Trail. The plan would remove the asphalt dam across the Everglades.
[Miami Herald] [PhysOrg] [TCPalm]

Caloosahatchee River flows to the estuary as measured at Franklin Lock (S-79) have averaged around 5000 cfs in May. That's double the advised upper limit for estuary health and dwarfs last years wet season flows.
[Corps Flow Data]

A $17.4 million foreclosure is in process for The Vue project of Throgmartin that, with the City of Ft. Myers, took land from Centennial Park and would have cast a huge shadow over the rest of the park. [News Press]

The May 2010 CRCA newsletter is available online. The archive provides an index to many of the newsletters dating back to 1995. Sign up to receive the newsletter by email. [May Newsletter] [Newsletter Archive]

While debates continue to rage about the economics and politics of the $536 million land deal, Florida's wetland ecologists agree that, scientifically speaking, it is the best way to start to restoring much-needed water flow to Florida's "River of Grass". [Inside Science]

On June 15 at 9:30am, Lee County Commission will vote on replacement of the North Spreader Canal System Ceitus Barrier/Boat Lift. It will be held at the old Lee County Courthouse Chambers. Attendees can speak for 3 minutes each. [Map]

The June 2010 CRCA newsletter is available online. The archive provides an index to many of the newsletters dating back to 1995. Sign up to receive the newsletter by email.
[June Newsletter] [Newsletter Archive]

Gov. Charlie Crist has designated July as Florida Rivers Month. Over 50,000 miles of rivers and streams cover the state. Since 1999, Florida has invested $3.7 billion to protect the state's rivers. [DEP]

On August 3 at 8:30am, the Corps will discuss the condition of the Herbert Hoover Dike. The City of Clewiston will talk about the economically importance of coordinating regional waterfront development with the Dike rehabilitation project. [Summit] [Agenda] [RSVP List]

A meeting will be held on July 28 from 9-1pm at the SWFRPC to discuss the North Spreader Environmental Management Agreement. The purpose is to provide guidance for the final CHNEP NSEMA vote. The meeting is open to the public. [Agenda] [WebEx] [NSEMA Process]

A meeting of the SW FL Watershed Council will be held on July 22 from 2-3:30pm at the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau offices. Kathie Ebaugh will speak about the County's New Horizon 2035 initiative.
[SW FL Watershed Council]

The 2011 Interior Bill may be up for discussion as early as July 21. The proposed Crenshaw Amendment would prohibit the EPA from finalizing the rule on numeric nutrient criteria in Florida. Contact your local representatives today. [Conservancy of Southwest Florida]

Come taste locally grown food and freshly caught seafood on July 24 from 9am - 2pm at the Taste of Lee which will be held at the First Baptist Church of Ft. Myers. There will be free tastings as well as fruit trees for purchase. [2009 Video]

Starting July 11, releases from Lake O will average 1.16 billion gallons per day or 13,000 cfs for a 12-day span. The releases have damaged oyster populations and created algae. A forecast for increased precipitation prompted the Corp's decision. [TCPalm]

Deepwater Horizon has affected Florida's economy. The economic situation will become clearer in late July once June's tax receipts are due. Some believe a session is likely after August 4. Economics has become more important than politics [Naples News]

The Gulf is a popular location for birds during their 6-month span migration period. The oil spill will greatly affect this process. The birds who remain in the Gulf will suffer the most damage. Audubon volunteers are observing habitat conditions. [Audubon] [Bird Habitat]

By Aug 17 the 19 stakeholder organizations are to vote and send a letter stating whether they approve the NEB package or would prefer to rebuild the Ceitus boat barrier on the Cape Coral Spreader Canal. Riverwatch will vote at its July 7 meeting. [Letter] [Rating Revision] [Appendix]

Although conditions are not ideal for bass, they are abundant in Lake Okeechobee. Over the last ten years, the fishing in Lake Okeechobee has had its rough patches. Locals say that the lake hasn't returned to its fishing glory but is improving.
[Miami Herald]

An international call to end offshore oil drilling and promote clean energy will take place on June 26. People will gather at beaches around the world, join hands and create a chain along the beach, leaving only their footprints behind.
[Eco-voice] [Hands Across the Sand]

On June 24 from 3-4:30 pm, Lisa Beever, director of the CHNEP, will give a lecture called Climate Change Planning and Southwest Florida. Her talk will cover climate change, habitat responses and plans to deal with these in the future.

From Jun 28-Jul 2 and Aug 2-6, kids 11-16 can hike, bike, kayak & participate in other environmental activities at Caloosahatchee Regional State Park. Cost is $57 per week. Call 239-533-7440. [Brochure] [Info] [Register] [Programs]

Second place in the canoe contest is a guided kayak tour for 4 people on Estero Bay valued at $140, courtesy of Estero River Outfitters. The Outfitters also provided a $230 discount on the price of the first place prize canoe from $780 to $550. [Web Site]

Are you supporting the Riverwatch Swamp Cabbage Festival activities? If so, your donations can now be accepted online using PayPal secure transaction with credit card or PayPal account. Thank you...and see you at Swamp Cabbage! [Make your donation online]

At the Mar 5 EMA meeting, Riverwatch voted against the NEB projects alternative to replacement of the Ceitus Boat Lift structure. Other stakeholders were also unable to support the EMA package in its current state. More meetings are planned.

Over 800 Hendry and Glades elementary students traveled to the Hendry House where they learned about water and utilities, took a walk in the LaBelle Nature Park, met some farm animals, and potted soil and seeds. [Pic1] [Pic2] [Pic3] [Pic3] [Pic4] [Pic6]

The April 2010 CRCA newsletter is available online. The archive provides an index to many of the newsletters dating back to 1995. Sign up to receive the newsletter by email. [April Newsletter] [Newsletter Archive]

On Wednesday May 26,2010 a meeting of the Southwest Florida Watershed Council took place in the Royal Palm Yacht Club in Ft. Myers. Aim of the meeting was to find out which topics are most important to be discussed at the conference in November. [Agenda and Speaking Order]

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is encouraging the fishing of sunshine bass. This hybrid fish is a mix between female white bass and male striped bass. Locals have found shad to be quite successful in luring sunshines.
[Bellingham Herald]

Florida's Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services has set up a toll-free hot line and website to inform citizens about the safety of seafood. NOAA and FDA are testing both water and seafood. Hot line 800-357-4273. [Sun Sentinel] [Website]

The SFWMD is reviewing it's $1 billion budget, looking for areas to save money while still maintaining water issues. The $536 million deal with U.S. Sugar is now struggling with the decrease in tax revenue which would affect Lake O to the Everglades. [Sun Sentinel]

Fishermen are asking the state to change its Everglades restoration plans to allow for canals to remain. These canals were created to both convey water and to generate fill for adjacent roads and levees. They are now very popular fishing locations.
[Miami Herald]

The Tony Rotino Senior Center in Cape Coral provides facilities for a variety of celebrations near the scenic waters of the Caloosahatchee. On June 24, a 5-hour cruise will immerse locals in the beautiful sights and sounds of the river. [News Press]

The FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute collected water samples to detect Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism. On the FWC website you can view results of water samples collected in specific areas. So far, so good this year. [Results] [Website]

Numerous fish deaths in St. Johns River resulted in 74 calls to a state fish-kill hotline by June 7. Scientists have not yet concluded the cause of these deaths. Fish were sent for analysis but it could take weeks to receive results.
[The Florida Times-Union]

On Jun 22 from 4-6pm at the Matlacha Community Center a public meeting will be held to discuss the planning process for recreational amenities. The plan is available for review. Written comments will be accepted before and during the meeting. [Site Plan] [Map]

The next Caloosahatchee River Citizens Association board of directors meeting will take place at Bridge St. Coffee and Tea Shop on Wednesday, July 7 at 6:30 pm.

Stephen Fitzpatrick thinks that recent opinions about the discharges of lake O raise objections but offer no solutions. He sees at least three plausible solutions. Sugar quotas are top on his list of complaints. [TC Palm]

Save Our Creeks will be holding the Annual Meeting on June 12 at the Fisheating Creek Campground at 11 am Future plans will be discussed and officers and form committees elected. Bring lunch. SOC will bring drinks and plates. [SOC]

After the conclusion of business and food at the annual meeting of the Caloosahatchee River Citizens Association, Cowboy Poet Hank Mattson entertained the group with his stories and artifacts of Florida history [Photo Gallery]

Sea levels rose as much as 2 feet higher than predicted this summer along the U.S. East Coast, surprising scientists who forecast such periodic fluctuations. The immediate cause of the rise has been solved, but the underlying reason remains a mystery [National Geographic] [Gulf stream effect]

Speaker-designate Dean Cannon says that the state must recognize and plan for future water demand, but that's something that the state has shown no desire to do and it's something unlikely to begin now.
[The Florida Times-Union]

On May 21 to 24, Snowbird, Utah will play host to the 11th National River Rally. It's a national training on water issues that will bring together federal and state resources, grassroots needs and community ingenuity. [River Network] [Website]

President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force released its Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning on Dec 14 for a 60-day public review and comment period. It offers an integrated approach to managing uses and activities. [Details]

The SFWMD seeks scientific references on the ecology, water quality and public uses of canals in South Florida. This request is part of an on-going effort to gather the best available science to aid in the development of numeric nutrient criteria. [Eco Voice]

2009 has been the worst year on record for FL manatees with 419 deaths. Lee Co leads the way in deaths of the endangered mammals with a total of 56 - 18 from boats & 38 from other causes. A very high number of young manatee died in 2009 - 114. [News Press]

The NSEMA Stakeholder Group outome report (Finding and Conclusions) is now available for review. It's the result of a year-long process of meetings and discussion over the Ceitus Boat Lift issue. A final decision may still be months away. [NSEMA] [Report]

The death of a Florida panther on Dec 17 on Interstate 75 — the 14th panther roadkill in 2009 — is prompting concern from state wildlife officials. Drivers should be on the lookout for the endangered cats, especially at sundown. [Naples News]

East coast cities are looking to keep water in Lake O for east coast drinking water and crop irrigation. West coast interests want enough freshwater from the lake to keep sea grasses and coastal estuaries healthy. A balance has to be found. [Naples News] [News Press ]

The formation of a new Florida Trails Association (FTA)sub-chapter is in its early stages and you are invited to join them. An orientation meeting is being held Feb 6 in Moore Haven. The advantages of joining FTA will be introduced. [FTA]

The world's largest empty pool, a massive 26 mi2 reservoir to reduce Lake Okeechobee excess estuary flows, sits high and dry in the Everglades, after taxpayers invested $280 million building it. SFWMD blames lawsuits but there are other reasons. [Orlando Sentinel]

Rebuilding of the Ceitus Boat Lift will not be of significant environmental benefit; however, it is better than a sham agreement so watered down as to be of even less environmental value than the Barrier. So says activist attorney Phil Buchanan. [Final Document Assessment] [Dec 09 Report]

Randy Brown is chairman of the Southeast Florida Utility Council that is asking the FL Legislature to reverse the SFWMD year-round lawn watering rules. Utility income depends on people wasting water, so utilities oppose SFWMD conservation rules.
[TC Palm] [SE FL Utility Council]

Up-and-down water levels has all but wiped out the Lake Okeechobee's apple snail population - the primary source of food for the snail kite whose population dropped from about 3000 birds to 700 during the past 15 years. [Sun Sentinel]

To protect three of Florida’s valuable fisheries, FWC has acted quickly with a direct, to-the-point executive order prohibiting the taking and/or harvesting of snook, bonefish, and tarpon. Under the order, these species are protected as of Jan 16. [Snook Foundation]

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has released a Q&A Fact Sheet discussing the recently-released EPA proposal for numeric nutrient standards. Nutrients are one of the top causes of degradation in U.S. waters. [Fact Sheet]

The Rural Lands Committee completed their Rural & Agricultural Land Study on Jan 1. They established a policy framework as a recommendation for the committee. One of the main goal is to uphold the County’s unique rural character and quality of life. [Report]

Hickey's Creek Mitigation Park published is February Programm. Guided nature walks and a kayak trip are still open to registration. Contact Kelly Williamson for subscritions and more information. [Details]

The 7th annual RRR goes into the record books with the largest number of registered runners despite the cold! 308 took part at the relay and and another 120 for the Fun Run. Runners came from 22 states, Canada and Bavaria. [Details] [Photos]

In response to public comments on the proposed revisions to the surface water classification system, the Department of Environmental Protection has decided to extend the public comment period on the proposed revisions to Feb 4. [DEP]

Want to win a canoe? Come to the Riverwatch exhibit at the Swamp Cabbage Festival on Saturday or Sunday (Feb 27-28) and sign up to win a Mad River Adventure 14 Canoe. $2 for one chance ticket. 3 for $5. [Poster] [email for tickets]

Lee County Natural Resources will present the latest draft report to the Board of County Commissioners on Feb 1 at the Commission Chambers in Ft Myers. Natural Resources Director Mr. Ottolini will give a PPT recommending acceptance of the NEBs. [PPT] [Ottolini] [Buchanan]

Judge Lynn J. Bush of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington ruled pollution in the St. Lucie Estuary caused by the discharges do not amount to a “taking” of riparian rights from the 22 landowners on whose behalf the coalition filed the lawsuit.
[TC Palm] [Editorial]

Cape Coral's removal of the Ceitus Boat Lift has caused a sand bar to form, blocking boat traffic. Riverwatch opposed removal of the lift. Putting it back would alleviate the sedimentation and solve this and other problems.
[News Press] [Video]

This year's manatee count was 33 percent higher than last year. Cold weather is forcing more manatee inshore, bunched up at warm-water refuges where they can be counted. The manatee population has been growing the last 15 or 20 years.
[News Press] [Manatee WebCam]

The Florida Supreme Court has agreed to hear on April 7 the case on the state land purchase deal for Everglades restoration projects. The land purchase is for construction of reservoirs and STAs intended to clean water and restore the Everglades. [News Press]

With the 2000’s the warmest on record and this winter’s snow deep and getting deeper, is our weather fishtailing around from climate instability? Or is it just the weather? Experts say its El Nino + Arctic Oscillation. [Feb 13 Temps] [NASA on 2000s] [El Nino] [NASA Records]

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a water pulse release from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee Estuary on Sat, Feb 13. This pulse release is needed because the last release did not fully achieve the desired benefits to the estuary.
[Corps Announcement] [Flow Graph] [Spreadsheet] [USACOE Page] [2009]

Join Riverwatch in LaBelle for the Swamp Cabbage Festival on Sat, Feb 27 for the river cruise and Sun, Feb 28 for the canoe contest drawing. There's so much to do at the Festival that you're sure to have fun. [Festival Page] [River Cruise] [Canoe Contest]

People gathered against Florida offshore oil drilling. Cheryl Anderson lived along the Texas coastline; there was tar all over the beach. Anderson said there will be oil on Florida beaches.
[News Press] [For & Against] [Photo]

The SCCF Annual Conservation Forum is at Big Arts on Sanibel Island on Feb 24 at 7:30 pm. Speakers include Army Corps of Engineer's Col. Pantano, Everglades Foundation's Kirk Fordham & Dr. Tom Van Lent, and SCCF's Rae Ann Wessel. [Announcement]

Tiver Network is expanding to add new positions and exciting new national programs. It is looking for a Water & Energy Program Director and a new Vice President for National Operations. [Water & Energy] [Vice President] [Other Positions]

The February 2010 CRCA newsletter is available online. The archive provides an index to many of the newsletters dating back to 1995. Sign up to receive the newsletter by email. [Newsletter Archive] [February Newsletter]

The NSEMA Stakeholder Group will be March 5th to vote on the proposed set of net ecosystem benefit (NEB) projects. The question is whether to endorse the NEB projects or reinstall the boat lift on the Cape Coral Spreader Canal. [Tom and Rafael Thanks] [NS-EMA Draft Report]

DEP says “this system, on the very edge of sea level change vulnerability is going through rapid and dynamic change. It is questionable that a solution…will provide the sheetflow benefits originally intended." [DEP]

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began began a 21-day pulse release of water from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee Estuary on Mar 2. Water passes from Lake O through Moore Haven Lock, Ortona Lock and Franklin Lock to reach the estuary. [Details]

Fort Myers Princess, a 75-ft tour boat will be relocating there operation from Downtown Fort Myers to docks at Marina Village adjacent to Snug Harbor Restaurant located at 645 Old San Carlos Blvd in the heart of Fort Myers Beach. [Details] [Website]

Cape Coral Canal Cleanup. You're invited to be a part of the 3rd annual Canal Cleanup Day! Date: Saturday, March 27th, Time: 8 am to noon, Meeting place: Cape Coral Yacht Club Pavilion, 5819 Driftwood Pkwy. [Details]

The next meeting of the Southwest Florida Watershed Council will be Friday, April 16, 2010 2:00 at Florida Gulf Coast University, Student Union Room 214. [Website]

­EPA is holding 3 additional public hearings to receive more input from Floridians on the agency's proposed water quality standards. One of the new meetings will be held in Ft. Myers on April 13 at Harborside Event Center at noon and at 6pm. [Details]

Recent rains have reduced the threat of brush fires this season, but Southwest Florida isn’t out of the woods yet. Rainfall was nearly 4 inches above average for March in Florida’s Southwest Coast region, according to the SFWMD. [Naples News]

Forecasts says there is a 50% chance that by April the water level in Lake O will be 13.5 feet, but the dry forecast could make it lower. Starting at 13 feet (or lower) would be best for achieving optimal late summer lake levels.

See here pictures of the Billy's Creek Preserve Grand Opening, which Rae Ann Wessel, Natural Resource Policy Director of the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation and Linda Mattos, CRCA Director, attended on June 2. [Pictures]

We kindly invite everyone to the annual CRCA BBQ meeting on Sunday, May 2 at 11am in the Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva. Historian Joe Thomas is the featured speaker. Bring a covered side dish. CRCA provides the drinks and grilled burgers. [Location Map]

Treat Mom to a cruise on the Caloosahatchee River guided by SCCF policy director and regional naturalist, Rae Ann Wessel. The tickets for the Mothers Day cruise go fast, so make reservations early! 239-472-2329 [Details]

The Army Corps of Engineers and Treasure Coast residents upset with discharges of dirty water from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie River Estuary actually agreed on something at a public meeting: That the water needs to go south. [TC Palm]

The Florida Coastal and Ocean Conference will take place at June 18 in Tallahassee. The conference will emphasize the need for and implementation of a comprehensive ecosystem-based approach to coastal and ocean management. [Invitation] [Website]

Ernie Cox writes to Jim Farr in support of a high numerical ranking for the Caloosahatchee Ecoscape Florida Forever project, for consideration by the Acquisition and Restoration Council at their next meeting. Click picture! [Letter]

The June board meeting of CRCA will take place at Linda's home on June 2, 2010. Members and their guests are welcome, but call Linda first at 239-694-5608 to make reservations as space is limited. [Map]

Florida Water News is one of a series of regional online water newsletters published by Brown and Caldwell. It contains stories of interest to water professionals about how communities in Florida are dealing with water issues.
[Link Florida Water News]

While South Florida braces for oil spill pollution potentially reaching its shores, weeks of dumping Lake Okeechobee water out to sea to protect South Florida from flooding has already created an environmental emergency to the north. [Sun Sentinel]

On May 13 in Stuart, the Corps Colonel & SFWMD Governing Members were berated by an unrelenting series of hostile citizens speaking out forcefully against the high Lake O discharges to the St. Lucie & Caloosahatchee estuaries.
[TC Palm] [Sun Sentinel] [News Press]

On May 11, Army Corps of Engineers Commander, Colonel Al Pantano, addressed Lee County regarding the unseasonably high flow releases being discharged from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee. He basically said they have no other options for now. [SCCF]

The final meeting of the Ceitus EMA was held on May 17. Non-binding straw votes were taken that clearly indicate what the final results of the last 2.5 years of work will be. The final vote will be 11 to 8 to put back the Ceitus Barrier.
[Ceitus EMA Meeting]

Amendment 4 (Hometown Democracy) is gaining support from voters. A new poll says 61% would vote yes; 18% no and 21% still undecided about the proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution giving voters direct authority over land use changes. [Florida Hometown Democracy] [Link Website]

The first-ever America's Everglades Summit, being held May 19 and May 20 in Washington, D.C., is a landmark event designed to build on growing support among policymakers for restoration of America’s Everglades. Over 200 will participate. [Summit] [Website]

A reservoir purchased through a process frought with charges of corruption, could instead get tapped by Florida Power & Light's new power plant in western Palm Beach County. The purchase was originally promoted as being for environmental restoration.
[Sun Sentinel] [FPL Water Plan]

Balking on reauthorization of the DCA, the Florida House is threatening what little growth management exists in the state and showing Florida voters why they may need Amendment 4 (Hometown Democracy). Politics is strengthening the ballot initiative. [Key News] [FHD]

Lake Okeechobee releases cripple Caloosahatchee. Unseasonal spring rains are producing catastrophic conditions in the Caloosahatchee at a critical spawning period. To avoid a repeat of 2004-2005 we need to speak up now. [News Press]

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites the public to attend an update meeting on Lake Okeechobee water management and the rehabilitation of the Herbert Hoover Dike. Date: May 11 at 6pm in Lee Co Admin Bld, 2115 Second Street. [US Army Corps Of Engineers]

The relevance (and irrelevance) of the Exxon Valdez Spill to the Deepwater Horizon Spill. By understanding some of the history of the Exxon Valdez cases, one can appreciate what the lawyers working on the Deepwater Horizon case have in front of them. [Marten Law]

State regulators and developers of an inland port reached a settlement that would move the proposed distribution center farther away from areas under consideration for Everglades restoration, but still not to where environmental groups advised.
[Sun Sentinel]

Scientists said the Everglades and Florida Bay would be particularly devastated if the oil somehow moved into it. If winds moved the oil it could cause irreparable harm to plants and wildlife in the Everglades, they said. [TC Palm]

Lee County added 517 conservation acres at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve to its land conservation program. The ecological importance of the parcel is undisputed. But some still say the price tag stings. [NewsPress]

Clean It Up Rally For The Gulf. Come out and support clean energy on Saturday, May 8, 2010, meet at 11 am at Lynn Hall Park, 950 Estero Blvd., Ft. Myers Beach. Join other Lee County residents and show your support of Gulf Coast protection. [Sierra Club]

On May 26 at 1pm in the Royal Palm Yacht Club, the Watershed Council will host an issues planning workshop to develop a list of watershed priorities for session topics of the Southwest Florida Water Resources Conference to be held Nov 19, 2010. [SWFWC] [Website]

You are invited to attend the Grand Opening Of Billy Creek Preserve on June 2, 2010. Billy Creek Preserve is a cooperative effort between the City of Fort Myers, Lee County and the SFWMD. [Preserve] [Press Release] [Announcment] [Map] [Art]

The House passed HB 1445 on a 74-37 vote with our entire local legislative delegation voting in favor. The bill goes to the Senate for final passage. Urge our Senators to vote NO on 1445/382! See also details of the vote here!
[SCCF] [Sierra Club]

Audubon is emphasizing that renewables, not drilling, should be Florida's future. House Speaker-elect Dean Cannon’s committee released its bill today to overturn Florida’s long-standing prohibition against nearshore oil and gas drilling. [Audubon Action ]

The final EMA meeting will be Mon, May 17 in Ft. Myers at 8:30 am. The meeting may take a final vote on whether to accept the DEP & Cape Coral mitigation projects as a substitute for replacing Ceitus Boat Lift on the Spreader Waterway.
[NSEMA Stakeholder Group]

Audubon of Florida Executive Director Eric Draper already is thinking about the Florida Legislature next year and he's not excited about it. The session so far hasn't been very good for environmental groups. [Florida Tribune]

With a massive years-long muck removal project near completion, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission restocked Lake Trafford with 150,000 tiny bass. Immokalee is on track to regaining its full status as a top fishing destination.
[Naples News]

Attorneys for the Rivers Coalition recently filed a 53-page appeal in the organization’s attempt to force the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop discharges of polluted waters from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon. [TC Palm]

There's a new online tool for Southwest Floridians who want to support environmentally friendly, local businesses. A Green Small Business Directory launched Thursday on the website of Florida Gulf Coast University.
[News Press]

Clean water was a top priority for the first Earth Day in 1970. It remains so 40 years later. For this Earth Day, Wisconsin Representative James Oberstar introduced the "America's Commitment to Clean Water Act" (ACCWA) in Congress. [Clean Water Network]

Most criticism aimed at the state's acquisition of U.S. Sugar lands for restoration is fueled by the largest business competitor of USS. They have characterized this acquisition as a bailout of a struggling company seeking to unload citrus lands. [Palm Beach Post]

“They” refers to the Army Corps of Engineers. They are the agency controling the flow of the majority of the storm water that falls from the sky on Florida’s terra firma. Whatever they do, some group will be unhappy. It's a tough job. [TC Palm]

Environmental improvements in the north Cape could be of greater environmental benefit than replacement of the Ceitus Boat Lift/Barrier. The problem is that the Cape has not agreed to those improvements in any meaningful form. [News Press]

Wednesday March 24th is the deadline for comments on Florida DEP's latest draft rule change that creates a water classification for waters that are allowed to be so polluted that they are unswimmable and barely fishable. [Details] [Website]

The Big "O" Birding Extravaganza is a Glades/ Hendry County cooperative event in South Central Florida on the Southwest shores of Lake Okeechobee, the state’s largest lake. Glades and Hendry counties are becoming a mecca for bird watching. [Bochure] [Tour & Program Description] [Website]

The April CRCA Board meeting will take place in LaBelle on April 7 (the first Wednesday of the month), at 6:30pm in the Bridge Street Coffee Shop, 23 E. Thompson Avenue, Labelle, FL 33935. [Map]

South Florida's stormwater treatment areas offer some of the best duck hunting in the United States. More waterfowlers will have more opportunities to know those quality hunts referring to 2010-11 duck season plans voted by the FWC and the district. [Sun Sentinel]

Robert V. Sobczak, hydrologist working at Big Cypress National Preserve in partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University, the Big Cypress Basin (SFWMD), and Big Cypress Watersheds Team made an hydrologic update on the Sweetwater Strand. [The South Florida Watershed Journal]

The St. Johns, Florida's greatest river, is sick. Large sections of it are smothered in slime resembling the green goo of a B-movie space alien. The Slime packs more than 100 times the World Health Organization's recommended limits for toxins. [Tampa Bay]

Friends of Billy Creek will handle the tidal portion. The City has another group handling the upstream portion. Stormwater Division has collected over 5 tons of trash from the Creek. Please consider adopting a creek or canal through your organization [Website]

Canoe ($800 value): Gino Kennedy Estero River Kayak Trip ($140 Value) : Ron and Vivian Barrett Bass Pro $50 Gift Card: Linda McVey Congratulation to Gino, Ron, Vivian and Linda. We hope to see you again next year!

Riverwatch voted to help the Everglades Foundation coordinate the first America Everglades Summit in Washington DC, May 19-20 2010. The goal is to pull together decision makers and Everglades advocates for the restoration process and federal support. [Details] [Website]

The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary helped Riverwatch organize the 2010 cruise event. Their Program is a partnership that protects the estuaries from Venice to Estero Bay. Special thanks to Maran Brainard Hilgendorf of CHNEP for this sponsorship. [Details]

Join us for the Annual Swamp Cabbage Festival and Swamp Stomp 5K Run/Walk through downtown LaBelle on February 21, 2009 at 8:00 am sharp. [News Press] [Details] [Americantowns.com]

Please join us Tuesday March 2, 7:00pm at the Pine Island Elks Club for the monthly meeting of the Greater Pine Island Civic Association.Our guest speaker is Dr. Aaron Adams, manager of Mote Marine Fisheries Habitat Ecology Program. [Website]

Drew Martin, of the Sierra Club, called for the EPA to stick with the new pollution limits, prompted by a legal challenge from the Sierra Club and other environmental groups.
[Sun Sentinel]

Boca's In-City Reclamation Irrigation System will be expanded over the next five years, enabling the city to reclaim 100 percent of wastewater (instead of 50% until recently), which will be used in place of valuable drinking water. [Sun-Sentinel]

CRCA thanks Steve & Susan Brookman for their contined generous support of Riverwatch. Steve provides affordable, easy to navigate web sites along with complete hosting and graphic art design services through Otter Water Webs. [Website]

The Rivers Coalition Defense Fund board of directors is appealing a federal court judge’s ruling rejecting the organization’s attempt to make the Army Corps of Engineers stop dumping polluted Lake Okeechobee water in the St. Lucie River estuary. [TC Palm]

John Earl Hasson of Kenansville landed in the Osceola County jail Feb. 5, charged with illegally selling freshwater game fish, frog legs and alligator meat to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission undercover investigators. [Orlando Sentinel]

Vultures circled over Everglades National Park's Anhinga Trail, where thousands of dead non-native fish floated in the marshes. About half the Burmese pythons found in the park in the past few weeks were dead. [TC Palm]

Researchers & volunteers filled buckets with white fossilized shell at Sanibel's Bowman's Beach. Next, shells are packed into mesh bags to build oyster reefs, which will provide habitat for fish and invertebrates and help clean the bayou's water. [News Press]

In a joint project between the SFWMD and Ft. Myers, a weir at Billy Creek is used to divert polluted water into a lake where sediments then settle to the bottom and pollutants are filtered by shoreline vegetation. Later the clean water moves back. [News-Press] [Billy Creek Map]

In its Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) UF-IFAS offers an education program for adults interested in increasing their knowledge on several subjects on Environmental Interpretation and Conservation Science. [Details and Registration]

Due to best management practices (BMPs) and the use of green technologies in several Storm Water Treatment Areas, the phosphorus reduction levels for 2009 are again better than the 25% required by law. Monitoring results show a 68% reduction. [Sierra Club Archive] [Just The Facts]

Facilitators have been working on reflecting the stakeholders' conclusions and putting together recommendations to deal with the Cape Coral Spreader Canal and Ceitus Boat Lift removal issue. [Cape Coral Mitigation] [Meeting Notice] [Information]

SBDC held a town hall meeting in Clewiston to discuss economic indicators for Hendry and Glades counties in light of the water-quality-driven transformations to the region's agricultural economy. [Speakers and Details]

The Florida House of Representatives filed HB 73 - Working Waterfront Property, specifying the various different requirements for this kind of property. Because of its effect on coastal areas, waterfront tax exemption has been of interest to many. [Original Filed Version]

The US EPA has agreed to limit how much nutrient pollution is allowed to foul Florida's waterways, a move likely to change everything from how suburban lawns are fertilized to how stormwater runoff and sewage are treated. [TampaBay.com]

A reality check for those who believe that an inland port would produce jobs to save the Glades communities comes in state objections to a proposal by Florida Crystals. The Palm Beach Post and DCA question the project. [More info...]

Nobody has an accurate idea of how many alligators are in Florida, but they have more than recovered from being an endangered species, as they were in the 1950s after years of uncontrolled harvest. [TBO]

Today, the Florida Cabinet can affirm that growth at any cost is the wrong policy for this overbuilt state. At issue is a case that would have allowed a Marion County landowner to build 20 times the number of homes allowed on 400 acres NW Ocala. [Palm Beach Post]

The New York Times recently published a series titled Toxic Waters. The 3rd article in the series focuses on animals wastes contaminating drinking water supplies. The series shows how water quality issues are very similar throughout the USA. [Article 3] [Series Link] [Article 1] [Article 2]

Two possible locations for a new bridge over the Caloosahatchee are being discussed as a replacement for the old Ft. Denaud swing bridge. One option is on the Hendry-Lee County line and the other farther east. Deadline for input is Sep 25. [Details]

The Florida DEP is sponsoring its first ever green tip contest as part of National Pollution Prevention Week 2009, Sep 21-27. Tell DEP how you help protect Florida's environment at home, at work or at school. [More Info...]

Dan Wexler, water issues lobbyist for PURRE, reported on a Congressional hearing of House Science & Technology Subcommittee on Energy & Environment to draft new legislation titled The Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 2009. [Wexler/PURRE Report]

Water pollution in Lake O has reached new record levels and threatens to get worse, according to EPA data cited by Ann Hauck, president of the Council of Civic Assoc. & Jerry Phillips, director of PEER. [PEER Press Release] [Email Report] [xls] [2006 Release] [2009 Release]

A petition has been filed with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity calling for the protection of 4,860 square miles of panther habitat – roughly 3 million acres, much in the Caloosahatchee watershed. [Press Release] [Habitat Map]

The “adaptive protocols” to manage Lake O water levels are critical to the Caloosahatchee, which suffers from insufficient water during the dry season & too much water during the wet season, both conditions fail to sustain healthy seagrasses. [More Info...]

As SW FL heads toward tourist season, water managers are concerned the area has received below-average rainfall during the rainy season. Page Field received 25.7 inches of rain from May to Aug - 5 inches below normal. Lake O is also below last year. [New Press]

You are cordially invited to the Friends of Inshore Fishing Charity Banquet, and Tournament in Punta Gorda, October 23-25. At the event you'll be able to get a T-Shirt or print of your own with the work above, signed by the artist, Rick Powers. [Details] [Web Site]

The September 2009 CRCA newsletter is available online. The archives provides an index to many of the newsletters dating back to 1995. Sign up to receive the newsletter by email. [PDF Newsletter] [Newsletter Archive]

The Riverwatch board and members will meet at 6:30 pm on Wed, Feb 3 at the Bridge Street Coffee Shop in LaBelle. The West Hendry Comp Plan will be discussed as will the proposed EPA numeric nutrient limits. Cruise & raffle tickets will be available.

Once again the Watershed Council of Southwest Florida has donated to the 2010 Swamp Cabbage Festival Cruise. Special thanks to James Evans, chair of the council. Watershed Council takes a lead role on many of the important issues of the region [Website]

Gulf Citrus Growers Association is a co-sponsor of the 2010 Swamp Cabbage Festival Cruises. CRCA would like to thank Ron Hamel, representing the citrus growers of SW Florida, for helping us again and joining in the leadership cruise discussion. [Website]

The CRCA Swamp Cabbage event would not have been possible without co-sponsorship of Sierra Club Calusa Group. CRCA would like to thank Drew Martin for arranging the donation this year. Sierra Club is an important partner to CRCA on many issues. [Website]

CRCA would like to thank Audubon Society of Southwest Florida for their co-sponsorship of the 2010 Riverwatch Swamp Cabbage Cruise. The association is heavily involved in the conservation of the rural lands and habitat. [Website]

The mission of SCCF is to preserve wildlife and habitats around Sanibel. SCCR has once again helped Riverwatch organize the 2010 cruise event. Special thanks to Rae Ann Wessel, expert interpretive guide on the educational cruise. [Website]

Happehatchee Center and Ellen Peterson are co-sponsors of the 2010 Riverwatch Swamp Cabbage Cruise. The center hosts activities and events that provide didactic and experiential opportunities to discover the "old" Florida landscape. [Website]

The 2010 Swamp Cabbage Cruise would not have been possible without co-sponsorship of Edison State College. CRCA would like to thank Dean of the Hendry-Glades Campus, Dr. Robert Jones for his support. [Website]

Given the long delay in appointing Joe Collins to replace Bubba Wade on the SFWMD Governing Board, Florida legislators should consider setting a deadline for the Governor to fill important vacancies such as SFWMD positions.
[Palm Beach Post]

A first draft of the report has been released on the removal of the Ceitus Boat Lift on the Cape Coral Spreader Canal system. Janicki Environmental produced the study. The report will be discussed at the next NSEMA Stakeholders meeting. [Draft Report]

The Environmental Working Group's National Tap Water Database compiles EPA data about water utilities through 2003. The AWG data is useful for historical, but not current issues. DEP also posts utility data to the web. [Water Database]

The 11th Court of Appeals ruled that the SFWMD wouldnt need special permits to backpump polluted waters into Lake O. Although that is bad, it will be good if more attention were paid to farmland and suburban runoff coming from north of the Lake. [News-Press Editorial] [News-Press Jun 23] [Cartoon]

The Florida Park Service has raised state park day-use entrance fees for vehicles with two to eight people an average of $1 to $3. Single-occupant vehicle fees has gone from $3 to $5 statewide. Annual passes, individual and family, went up a 50%. [News-Press]