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Women Outdoor Weekend |
(2011-10-28) |
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Women's outdoor weekend is on March 16-18, 2012 at Caloosahatchee Regional Park. Come out and experience tent camping, hayride, kayaking, wood burning, archery, fishing, camp cooking, and more. Don't forget to bring your friends, sisters, and moms! [Details]
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Water managers treat the Caloosahatchee Estuary unfairly. They (1) dump excess Lake O water to it in the rainy season, (2) siphon off its basin runoff back to Lake O in drier wet seasons, & (3) give it too little Lake O water in the dry season. 
DEP & SFWMD are seeking a 90-day delay in any federal court action to allow time for negotiations on cleaning up the Everglades. Judge Gold will probably allow the delays to avoid the matter going to a less demanding appeals court. 
Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP) action center provides a unique database system where you can find elected officials, including the president, members of Congress, and more, searching by zip code, the official's last name or by state. 
The January 2012 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. 
Riverwatch thanks those who responded to the annual appeal with donations of $250 (David and Cherly Copham, Ruy Sampaio, and Michael Dove of Alva). Many others sent in donations of $100. These individuals will be recognized in future newsletters. 
In his comic speech to the Everglades Coalition, Carl Hiaasen said had the annual conference's "special guest" been a character concocted for one of his books, editors would have categorically rejected it as too outrageous, even for a Hiaasen book. 
Want to win a canoe? Come to the Riverwatch exhibit at the Swamp Cabbage Festival on Saturday or Sunday (Feb 25-26) and sign up to win a Mad River Adventure 14 Canoe. $2 for one chance ticket. 3 for $5. 
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. 
Join FREE public program series that will provide you with the inside tips and tricks of being a true eco-traveler here in Southwest Florida. While all programs are FREE to the public, space is limited and your RSVP is suggested at 239-432-2163 
In their Tampa debate, both Romney and Gingrich spoke in favor of free markets for sugar (against price support program). Romney said he would work to get rid of subsidies. Gingrich said that he tried and failed when in Congress. 
A 1978 report by James F. Milleson of SFWMD has served as the basis for Riverwatch research and restoration efforts undertaken since 1996 on the 35+ Caloosahatchee River oxbows. USF grad student Chloe Delhomme is leading the latest effort. 
An Everglades love-fest turned nasty when Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Everglades Foundation Chairman Paul Tudor Jones sniped about whether the agriculture industry is meeting its obligation to pay for restoring the “River of Grass.” 
Urge the House Ag & Natural Resources Subcommittee to OPPOSE HB1103 by Rep Tom Goodson, Titusville. This is the sovereign submerged lands bill that will take away our public lands and waters, land & waters, such as the Caloosahatchee Oxbows. 
No state has made more use of reclaimed water than Florida. A bill by Rep Dana Young, R-Tampa, would remove reclaimed as a public resource just as it is playing a key role in water supply. The bill would allow utilities to sell their reclaimed water. 
Birds love fish and giving the scrapes to them seems like an act of kindness. But don't do that because fish scrapes may kill the birds. That's why the Florida legislature made tossing fish scrapes to the birds illegal. 
27th annual conference of the Everglades Coalition at the Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort Marina attracted about 300 representatives of government and nonprofit agencies dedicated to restoration of the Everglades ecosystem. 
Florida's 2012 Legislative Session started on Jan 10. Already, 1000 Friends is tracking a number of bills closely. They will keep you updated as the session progresses & may ask you to contact key legislators at critical junctures during the session. 
Researchers are exploring non-traditional ecological accounting methods to evaluate sustainability options for southwest Florida economic development and environmental restoration. 
Fitch Ratings has taken the following rating actions on SFWMD, Florida's outstanding bonds: $500.2 million COPs downgraded to 'AA-' from 'AA'; $25.1 million special obligation land acquisition refunding bonds affirmed at 'A'; and GO bond rated 'AA'. 
Lake O is located in central southern Florida, north of the Everglades & south of Orlando. Lake O links the Atlantic & Gulf sides of Florida via the Port Mayaca Lock on the east side of the lake and the Moore Haven Lock on the lake’s western side. 
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said that it will continue releasing water from Lake O to send additional fresh water into the Caloosahatchee Estuary. As of Jan 6, the lake is 13.54 feet above sea level, so there is sufficient water for the estuay. 
An important water advocate of the past 7 years, The PURRE Water Coalition Foundation Inc (People United to Restore Our Rivers & Estuaries), ceased operations effective Dec 31, Chairman Michael J. Valiquette announced after a board meeting Dec 16. 
Russ Moody of Cape Coral says one of the serious issues facing Cape Coral is the North Spreader canal barrier controversy. He continues to oppose restoring the water quality system that Cape Coral dismantled, resulting in years of Riverwatch protest. 
The news is now filled with plans to cope with climate change impacts. Where did they go, all those climate change deniers who blocked preventive action for the past couple of decades? Are they now hiding, waiting to die off with their guilt? 
Bob Graham said in a statewide op-ed that in 2011 the Governor & Legislature placed our state’s natural heritage in jeopardy. The Florida Conservation Coalition can (with your help) stop & reverse this ill-conceived, reckless trend. 
The Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) welcomes boaters to visit the refuge. Boaters should consult navigational charts & tide schedules before attempting to visit any waters surrounding the refuge. For more information call (239)472-1100. 
The eagerly awaited 11-week “Ding” Darling Nature Store Lecture Series kicks off at J.N. “Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island January 20, 2012, with an expert on climate change. For more information, call 472-1100 ext. 241. 
Mark your calendars for the largest bird-themed event on March 28-31, 2012 in South Central Florida, located on the Southwest shores of Lake O, the state's largest lake. Early registration begins in November. Call for details: 863-517-2136 
2012 is shaping up to be all about water. Join SCCF in events to learn more about how our water is managed, the progress of restoration projects that can store, treat & provide water and what’s ahead to assure fresh water is available for the future. 
The December 2011 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. 
Audubon greeted the news that Governor Scott appointed Liesa Priddy to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with enthusiasm. Liesa is a former president of First Bank of Immokalee and former Ava Maria stewardship board member. 
Having done the scientific studies in the 90's to establish the "scientific" basis for protecting the Caloosahatchee Estuary, SFWMD now says they need more science before they will act upon conclusions of their own scientists reached a decade ago. 
A group of 30 prominent industry groups, utilities and engineering associations signed a letter to EPA basically saying that they simply don't know how to make a profit or operate communities without destroying the environment.
Waterkeeper Alliance recently launched Ecowatch, a website hub for all things environmental news related. You are invited to utilize the site to get your message and stories out there by submitting original content. 
Sanibel City Vice Mayor Mick Denham is currently leading a campaign against what he describes as an effort to "preempt local government" and undermine water quality in SWFL. Let's support Denham in this effort to protect our precious coastal water. 
After firing national-caliber experts on Everglades and ecosystem restoration, Gov. Scott now says it's time to make progress on Everglades Restoration. This contradictory actions & talk leaves Floridians wondering what is the state's real intention. 
Sierra Club has created an interactive slime tour map called “Florida Slime Crime Tracker”. The Google map is now up and running. Unfortunately, the Caloosahatchee was fertile ground for slime pics & provided a disproportionate number of the photos. 
In a letter to Gov Scott, the Feds told him that he needs to do better if they are going to take him seriously on his verbal conversion to being a supporter of FL ecosystem restoration. The letter was signed by Justice, Interior, the Corps, and EPA. 
The proposed redistricting would put the Caloosahatchee in three primary Congressional districts (14,12,&21). Previously it was split between two. A fair redistricting would retain two districts. Lehigh is split from Lee Co. and goes with Glades Co. 
Students from UF, USF & FGCU won cash awards for their research posters at the SW FL Water Resources Conference on Nov 18. First prize went to Laura Markley for investigating causes of algae blooms in the Caloosahatchee Estuary. 
Demonstrating how valuation of wetlands have changed over the decades, Prof. Royal Gardner showed an old Disney video of the 7 Dwarfs destroying (reclaiming) swamps. Gardner gave an excellent presentation at the SW FL Water Resources Conf on Nov 18. 
Given the passing of Save Our Creeks president, Ellen Peterson, the organization's board of directors met on Nov 25 to elect new officers. The new SOC president is Mary Rawl, who was a highly effective president of Riverwatch from 2005 to 2006. 
"The Rubicon’s dead end often collects vegetation, litter and other debris." So, Cape Coral proposes to solve the problem by flushing it to the Caloosahatchee via a new canal connection, really designed to improve boat access & property values. 
A new report by some the world’s top researchers confirms that climate change will make the extreme weather we’ve seen recently even worse in the future. The report synthesizes two years work from 100 experts who analyze data from all over the world. 
A widespread red tide at Collier County beaches has diminished slightly in intensity but still could have effects on people and wildlife, county pollution monitors reported Tuesday, Nov 22. More samples will be taken again soon. 
The USACE Jacksonville District awarded a contract to build the C-44 Reservoir and RSTA component of the IRL-S Everglades restoration project. The project will help address problems of the St. Lucie River, while the Caloosahatchee waits. 
EPA expects to award between $1.8 to $3.8 million in grants for projects across the country that will contribute to improved water quality and community revitalization. Proposals are due January 23, 2012. Deadline for submitting questions January 16. 
In order to protect South Florida from flooding, the Corp of Engineers is shoring up the nearly 80-year-old Herbert Hoover Dike that surrounds Lake O, the nation's second largest freshwater lake. The old dam is on the country's critical repair list. 
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) responded to Rivers Coalition concerns expressed regarding the Proposed Everglades Headwaters, specifically related to the use of Land and Water Conservation Funds (LWCF). CRCA-Riverwatch supports the project.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released an excellent set of video news clips on CORPS projects on the Herbert Hoover Dike and Lake Okeechobee (history and projects). Well worth your time. It helps explain many issues of the Caloosahatchee. 
Scott must have been advised he needs to act like he cares about the environment on at least one issue somewhere, & since Everglades restoration is really just enhanced flood control & water supply in disguise, what's the harm in giving lip service. 
EPA told DEP that the numerical nutrient limits deal is off if the state exempts canals from pollution rules, a move being pushed by some of the state's most powerful industries. In such case EPA will impose its own stricter rules. 
The Watery Foundation estimates that agriculture creates 17 jobs per million gallons water used, whereas the non-ag economy of Florida creates 2400 jobs per million gallons of water. This underscores the water-intensive nature of Florida agriculture. 
On Nov 2, EPA said it will give preliminary approval to FDEP's proposed numeric nutrient rule, without reviewing the comments submitted by so many of us on this very ineffective draft rule set. It appears EPA is posturing for the 2012 election. 
CWN says Rich Budell of the Florida Dept of Agriculture claims that the new DEP/EPA water quality regulations are too stringent for agriculture, but nevertheless won't affect agriculture. So maybe the proposed rules are contradictory..and pointless? 
SFWMD approved grants for its Water Savings Incentive Program (WaterSIP). Cape Coral, LaBelle and Port LaBelle are among the 9 south Florida utilities receiving these under $50,000 grants for water conservation projects in their communities. 
The October Riverwatch meeting held in LaBelle featured a presentation by SFWMD officials, Tommy Strowd (Dep. Exec. Dir.) and Dr. Susan Gray (Chief Scientist) on the design and progress of the C-43 West Reservoir at Berry Grove. 
October rain has raised Lake O to 13.5 ft, exactly where it was a year ago. But last year the estuary received less than half its MFL (200 rather than 450 cfs). Since water continues to flow dfrom the Kissimmee Basin, so the lake could reach 14 ft. 
The days are getting cooler, and Eastern Seaboard and Gulf of Mexico residents are asked to report sightings of endangered manatees to their local Marine Mammal Stranding Network. 
At the October 27 Task Force meeting the federal government and the State of Florida announced a fast-track planning effort to improve the Central and Southern Everglades by putting more fresh and clean water into the River of Grass. 
The state's most recent attempt at developing standards for water quality in lakes, rivers and estuaries is under attack from critics who say the draft rules are too weak and won't satisfy the Federal Clean Water Act. 
James Evans, biologist for the City of Sanibel offered comments to FDEP regarding the Proposed Revisions to the Estuarine Numeric Nutrient Criteria. James says the
opportunity for public input was insufficient & the comment period should be extended. 
On Oct 25 the Lee County BOCC voted 4-0 authorizing the County Attorney to enter mediation and then, if unsuccessful, file the Ceitus lawsuit against Cape Coral. CRCA President Pete Quasius also spoke at the meeting in support of this action. 
While we can't do much to control pollution from Lake O & farm runoff, we can reduce the pollution reaching the Caloosahatchee from our own homes and lawns. CRCA has prepared a few suggestions on how you can limit contamination of stormwater runoff. 
U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney is pushing a jobs bill advocating offshore oil & natural gas exploration in Florida's waters - despite a two-decade-old state ban on the practice. It's a bad proposal for a state whose economy depend on clean air & clean water. 
The Karenia brevis bloom, first reported last month in SW Florida, currently extends offshore of Sanibel Island (Lee County). Widespread fish kills have been associated with this bloom & respiratory irritation is possible in & around the bloom areas. 
The Super Committee is making decisions that will profoundly affect the food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink & other environmental factors that keep us healthy or prevent illness. Tell the committee to tackle the budget the right way! 
NASA published their 100th image in their State of Flux gallery showing images of change around our planet. So hopefully by now you’re in awe of our home planet & the ways in which it is constantly changing, & aware of the impact us humans can have. 
Two significant rainfall events in October have helped replenish ground and surface water supplies in the South Florida Water Management District's 16-county region. However, water levels in some areas are still below normal for this time of year. 
Send emails to FL DEP to let them know that thousands of Floridians want the toxic algal blooms, fish kills and sick waters to end. Please do all that you can to fully engage in this campaign to get protection from nutrients in Florida’s waters. 
CHNEP has developed a new fully operational Water Atlas website. This is one of the most useful and valuable resources. Here you can find virtually any water resource data you can think of in the 8 county CHNEP area. The website is updated daily. 
So many ecological debates simply pit one group of would-be resource consumers against a competing group of new or existing consumers. Both understand the system can take only so much, so they each want to be the one to reap the
economic benefits. 
As predicted, with the North Spreader Canal stormwater treatment system gone from removal of Ceitus Boat Lift, the next target of polluters will be the South Spreader-the last of the 3 original spreader systems set up to control pollution in Cape Co. 
Commenting on the draft Charlotte Harbor Estuarine Numeric Nutrient Criteria, the Watershed Council opposes CHNEP's proposal to create standards that would maintain pollution levels of the past 14 years & allow exceedances of these degraded levels. 
FDEP drafted a state rule that would replace the EPA numeric nutrient criteria. Let's bombard FDEP with our comments against the draft rule & prove that Floridians do not want less protection for our water bodies but rather, we want more protection. 
By taking advantage of low water levels that extended into the summer wet season, the SFWMD was able to complete several successful environmental enhancement projects, such as planting native trees and bulrush and stocking apple snail eggs. 
Sierra Club is suing University of Florida for violation of public records law because UF won't provide all information about its publication titled “Unintended Consequences” - a report used by some to fight against local fertilizer ordinances. 
Lee County Parks & Recreation announces its October programs at Hickey's Creek Mitigation Park (17980 Palm Beach Boulevard). The pograms include Guided Walk, Caloosahatchee to Hickey’s Creek Kayak Trip and Astronomy for Amateurs. 
For sale...SFWMD surplus lands! These are SFWMD properties that are not needed for mission-related projects and may be (a) sold by public bid; (b) given to another governmental entity; or (c) swapped for needed land. 
Pine Tarr, Inc. (Publix shopping center developers on Pine Island) say destruction of mangroves is necessary. That's nonsense! Lee Co. staff statistics show Pine Island has 754 acres of commercially zoned properties, 56% of which is vacant. 
The mercury problem has gotten so bad that Martin County has released a list of the fish that are less likely to kill you if eaten. It's part of a booklet designed to promote better health among pregnant women and the rest of the population. 
In a letter fitting of George Orwell's 1984 Doublespeak, Rep. John Mica, claims (with a straight face) that Florida was solving its water quality problems before EPA attempted to enforce pollution limits. He blames EPA for Clean Water Act failures. 
Pioneering family member Jim English addressed the Lee County BOCC about water management from Babcock Ranch, saying that the farming areas should develop water retention systems to halt the sheetflow crossing his property to the Caloosahatchee. 
Research supports 650 to 2400 cfs as the healthy flow range to the Caloosahatchee estuary. A 1927 report by the George B. Hills Co estimates 1926 (a hurricane year) dry season average flow as 900 cfs. The question remains what were historical lows. 
Corps of Engineers Col. Alfred Pantano told the Lee County BOCC that this next year will be really bad relative to Lake O water levels. He also restated the Corps' support for moving water south when there is too much, benefiting the Caloosahatchee. 
The DEP Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration is pleased to let you know about the availability of TMDL Tracker Release 2.0, a web application that allows users to retrieve information regarding TMDLs throughout Florida. 
Meeker claims reducing spending at the SFWMD is not curtailing Everglades restoration efforts but streamlining operations, eliminating unnecessary expenses & getting back to its core mission of flood control, water supply & ecosystem restoration. 
SFWMD Board Chairman Joe Collins has reappointed Dr. Hammond to service on the SFWMD Water Resources Advistory Committee. This group meets periodically to consider issues of the region & make recommendations on District strategies & specific actions. 
Governing Board Chairman Joe Collins invites everyone to view The Ripple Effect, the South Florida Water Management District's monthly electronic newsletter that covers the latest water news — straight from the source. 
As his internship with Intelligentsia International, Environmental Engineering student Sean Foorman of Stanford Univ is studing Oxbow 24, restored in 2005. Some of the equipment has been provided by John Cassani of LCHCD. 
Riverwatch awarded Dan Morrissey & Nancy Smith of Alva certificates of appreciation for hosting USF graduate student Chloe Delhomme in their home during her oxbow thesis research data collection project. 
In the latest example of one-sided public policy, Congressman Stearns is refusing to invite any clean-water advocates or members of the public to testify at a Congressional hearing on EPA's proposed limits for sewage, fertilizer & manure in FL waters 
Tropical Storm Emily could bring the extended soaking water managers say is needed to lift South Florida out of a lingering drought. Storm projections on August 2 showed Tropical Storm Emily passing over or east of South Florida by Saturday. 
Two years ago, the Sunshine State seemed poised to assume its natural role as a national leader in renewable energy. Now, instead of emerging as a leader, Florida lags behind 29 other states in developing a renewable energy policy. 
Florida is restarting efforts to develop tougher water pollution regulations to avoid an impending federal takeover of that responsibility. The EPA, though, remains set to implement its own standards if it finds the new state rules unacceptable. 
The Caloosahatchee is in trouble. From toxic algae blooms to waterborne fecal bacteria, the river's health is under near-constant assault. Scientists now know more about it but whether research will be enough to restore the river is an open question. 
Algae blooms and dead zones are an annual occurrence for many water bodies, and this year seems to be worse than many. A dead zone is developing in the Chesapeake Bay and in the Gulf of Mexico. A huge algae bloom is covering Yellow Sea in China too. 
Memo to all Ceitus environmental stakeholders: Attached is a copy of Lee County's appeal to the Florida Second District Court of Appeal. It was filed on July 2011 and the case number is 2D11-3401. 
The entire state of Florida is under a mercury advisory for more than 70 species of saltwater and freshwater fish, explains Melodie Naja, a water quality scientist. Eating them too frequently can cause serious neurological problems. 
A ruling this month by a federal appeals court essentially giving the OK for the Corps to continue polluting the St. Lucie River might seem ludicrous to most people, but it's deadly serious and a continuing affront to the people of this region. 
Rivers Coalition, who for years have been fighting pollution of the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon by nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, was told that the South FL ecosystem may have a more serious public enemy #1: methylmercury. 
Who are these people at Sunshine State News operating as the Fox News of FL print journalism. Editor Nancy Smith (unrelated to CRCA member Nancy of Alva) produces much of its content after, self admittedly, "30 minutes in a rubber room to recover." 
The River Network released a staffing and budget survey of 91 watershed organizations across the USA. The median budget of the responding groups is $300,000. This compares to Riverwatch's annual budget of around $12,000. 
Nancy Smith of Sunshine State "News" assails Audubon's Eric Draper and misrepresents the causes of improper Lake O water releases. Anyone involved in the process knows the Corps often tries to do the right thing, but SFWMD sways the decisions. 
Mary Barley of Everglades Trust wonders if Frank Ortis who applauded the sugar program knows the truth about this program. The sugar program has made Big Sugar very rich. Big Sugar can buy the favors of politicians with ease, and it does just that.