Calusa Waterkeeper 25Th Anniversary Commemorative Report

25TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Continuing the fight for Fishable, Swimmable, Drinkable Water

Letter from our President Origin Story Mascot Musings Not Your Lone Ranger No Fibbing - Impaired Waters Up Billy’s Creek - No Paddle Then and Now: 25 Years 2020 Policy Planning Objectives CALUSA WATERKEEPER BOARD OF DIRECTORS / 2020-2021 Officers: President Ruth Watkins / Vice President Jason Pim / Secretary Kathy Cookman / Treasurer Jim Watkins Board of Directors: Chuck Avery /John Cookman / Solemi Hernandez / Louise Kowitch / Corey McCloskey /John Paul / Linda Penniman / Howard Simon

CALUSA WATERKEEPER STAFF & TEAM Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani / Executive Director K.C. Schulberg / Administrative Coordinator Cindy Swisher IT & Social Media Sharkinetics / Public Relations Conric PR & Marketing /Accounting & CPA Atkinson and Associates Billy’s Creek Community Action Plan [BCCAP] Outreach Director Nonnel Galaviz-Johnson

25TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE Layout, Concept, “Origin Story,” “Then and Now,” “Mascot Musings” KC Schulberg / “My Mascot Musings” Jason Pim “Not the Lone Ranger,” “No Fibbing” John Cassani / “Up Billy’s Creek” Gene Gibson / Photo credit Cat Chase Media

NEW DATE ! – DECEMBER 13, 2020 CONCERT FOR CLEAN WATER with HOTEL CALIFORNIA CENTENNIAL PARK

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS I Heart Media SWFL Happenings Magazine Boater’s Landing Jensen’s Marina & Resort Breeze Newspapers John R. Wood Properties Suncoast Beverages Hans Wilson Associates Tito’s Handmade Vodka La Mesa RV Manatee & Eco River Tours CMCS Keep Lee County Beautiful WITH Bay Water Boat Club Howard Simon & Beth Wilson JGucciardo Consulting Coastal and Heartland National Audubon of Western Everglades Estuary Partnership Forestry Resources Ecological

And To Our Sustaining Sponsors: The Severus Foundation – Southwest Florida Community Foundation Dear Friends,

In 2016, I caught a television interview with John Cassani addressing water quality problems in the Caloosahatchee River and the science behind how our local waters had deteriorated over time. This was of particular interest to me as I had been deeply invested in water quality issues in the Pacific Northwest for over three decades before making Florida my home. I was struck by John’s candor and gravitas.

I joined the Calusa Waterkeeper Board of Directors in 2017. The following year, I became Vice-President and President in 2019. What a whirlwind it has been. In three short years, we grew our Ranger corps from five to nearly ninety, we hired a first-rate Executive Director in KC Schulberg, filed two legal petitions in defense of water quality, held numerous overflowing Town Halls accompanied by prestigious expert panels, presented to more than 100 civic associations, ramped up our water quality testing, established our own testing laboratory, created a continuing education class for local physicians, and produced a ground- breaking 40-minute documentary “TROUBLED WATERS – Public Health Impacts of Harmful Algal Blooms.”

Though 2020 has gotten off to a challenging start because of COVID- 19, our mission is stronger than ever. At times like this, and as we celebrate our momentous 25th anniversary, we need to all pull together - and we have. Which brings me to how thankful I am for everyone who is part of the Calusa Waterkeeper team – from the founding members of CRCA who focused attention on the River and laid the foundation for today’s work, to the Waterkeeper Alliance for welcoming us into their fold, to our dedicated staff, loyal Board members, and the countless volunteers who help carry out our mission - including the amazing Rangers - to the financial support of businesses and sponsors from our community, to the remarkable foundations that have provided essential grants, and to our very generous individual donors.

Lastly, I am grateful to you, our Members. Thank you for being with us every step of the way as we defend your right to drinkable, fishable, swimmable water today and into the future.

Ruth Watkins / President Mascot Musings Our Smalltooth Sawfish Logo Though not exactly cuddly, our mascot – the smalltooth K.C. Schulberg sawfish (Pristis pectinata) is extraordinary by many The early 1990s proved a seminal moment in measures. Olive gray to brown on its back, with a light Southwest Florida history when folks became sandy underbelly, sawfish have a lifespan of several surprisingly sensitized to environmental decades and can sometimes attain a length of 20 feet. issues. Hurricane Andrew had slammed They belong to a group of fish called elasmobranchs Florida on August 16, 1992 causing $23b in that includes rays, skates, and sharks. Though shark- Reprinted with permission of News-Press economic and environmental damage. like in appearance, they are actually rays, as their gills In May of 1994, the Everglades Forever Act (EFA), a precursor to CERP, and mouths are found on the underside of their bodies. was enacted by Florida’s legislature, focusing national attention on Sawfish get their name from their distinct rostrum—a South Florida. Later that year, on July 4, Tropical Storm Alberto caused long, flat snout edged with sharp teeth—that looks like devastating flooding throughout Florida. In fact, 1994 was one of the a saw. wettest years on record in Florida with rainfall from January to April The smalltooth sawfish was the first marine fish to 140% above average and November & December a staggering 316% above normal, leaving Lake Okeechobee, our canals and rivers receive federal protection as an endangered specie engorged with surplus water and bringing much needed attention to under the Endangered Species Act in 2003. water flow issues on the Caloosahatchee, its tributaries and estuaries. Its habitat used to extend from the Mid-Atlantic In 1994, the News-Press had published a series of articles on the states through the Gulf of Mexico, down to Uruguay and Caloosahatchee, entitled “River at Risk.” And on August 7, 1994, even to the western coast of Africa from Angola to published a major article called “Caloosahatchee: An Orphan River.” Mauritania. But due to overfishing and compromised That article amounted to a double-truck appeal to protect and defend habitat it is now only found in the waters of Southwest our River – a plea for adoption of the mighty Caloosahatchee, saying Florida. And one of the few remaining pupping grounds “unlike the Hudson, the River has no keeper” and calling for “the is our own Caloosahatchee River. formation of a citizen’s group to watch over the river.” Furthermore, The sawfish, image - now such a central part of our there was an announcement of a News-Press sponsored profile - was originally proposed by our former Caloosahatchee Community Forum to take place later that year. President, Gene Gibson, when we were applying to the This did not fall on deaf ears. When the summit took place on November 19, 1994, the Barbara B. Mann auditorium was filled with Waterkeeper Alliance as a full Member in 2016. John 400 attentive agency & elected officials, environmental groups and Capece provided the new name Calusa Waterkeeper, scores of ordinary concerned citizens – among them, many who would as an alternative to the more geographically-limiting be instrumental in forming our organization, like Rae Ann Wessel, John Caloosahatchee. And the logo was crafted by John Capece, John Cassani, Jim Haggart, Charles Edgar Foster, Laura Church, Cassani’s daughter, Sarah Lepa,. Linda Mattos, Amy Bennett Williams, Connie Hoffsinger, Rob Andrys, We are extremely proud that the international Keith Kibbey… and many others. These were sunnier times (so to Waterkeeper Alliance not only approved our logo; they speak), at least, less polarized, when Bill Hammond sat on the South now showcase it as a prime example in their style Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and Ray Judah was a manual sent to all 340 waterkeeper organizations County Commissioner. (continued on opposite page) around the world.

Nov 19, 1994 March 9, 1995 Oct 22, 1995 Jan 27, 1996 June 1996 Nov 1996 Nov 21, 1997 March 8, 1998 March 14, 1998 Caloosahatchee FOUNDING of CRCA CRCA Marine CRCA Storm Drain CRCA receives First of 18 years WGCU River doc CRCA Annual CRCA River Cruise Community Forum Caloosahatchee Clean-up Day Stencil Project – IRS 501(c)(3) gets PBS airdate Member Meeting with R.A. Wessel Sponsored by the River Citizens Caloosahatchee to ”Don’t Pollute - Tax exempt (prompted by Jaycee Park J. Capece & C.E. News-Press Association Ortona Locks Flows To River” status J. Cassani) Cape Coral Foster My Mascot Musings ORIGIN STORY [CONTD.] Jason Pim, Calusa Waterkeeper Ranger This smalltooth sawfish story bookends my In January of 1995, a core group of 90, who had attended experiences of the disastrous harmful algal blooms of the Forum, gathered at the Calusa Nature Center’s Iona 2018. On June 27th, I accompanied John Cassani and House to discuss next steps. And thus, a “citizen’s group Wayne Daltry as they escorted Miami Herald to watch over the river” was born. The first job was to journalists from Lake Okeechobee to the come up with a name. According to Rae Ann Wessel, Caloosahatchee to observe the “guacamole” “this was like getting 90 people to name a baby.” Hence cyanobacteria bloom making its way downstream the CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER CITIZENS ASSOCIATION, towards the Franklin Locks. I was already a CWK which does not exactly roll off the tongue. It was quickly Ranger, but this was the first of many more “media abbreviated to CRCA. The News-Press article and Forum algae tours" I would conduct throughout the summer. had laid down markers, which were now taken up by this That next morning, I dropped our oldest daughter intrepid group of nascent water warriors. They adopted to her lifeguard classes at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. I the concept, watch-words, like “Riverwatch” (which was worried the bloom was headed for our canals and became the unofficial title of the organization), and even might affect the July 4th boating plans for my co-opted a News-Press image to become the new logo! community. So, I walked the Cape Coral pier to observe water conditions and clear my head, and immediately spotted a small sawfish near the shoreline. We contemplated each other for some time and I ultimately interpreted the encounter as a sign – one that galvanized my resolve to become an advocate for clean water and one that bolstered my faith in the Calusa Waterkeeper organization during the unfolding crisis. That summer, we endured months of horrific bloom CRCA was incorporated on March 9, 1995, with retired conditions in the tidal Caloosahatchee and in our attorney Jim Haggart as its first President, Laura Church as backyard canals. Our waterways were inundated with VP, Laura Wewerka as Secretary and Bill McGrath as algae that turned entire canals into fluorescent green Treasurer. It received its official 501(c)(3) designation the alleys, stinking up our neighborhoods and making following year. folks sick. The history of the organization deserves more space than On August 25, in roughly the same area, I again can be afforded here. There have been moments when it spotted a small sawfish - perhaps the very same one. foundered; there have been notable victories, like the This time I could hardly see it because of the slimy hugely successful Storm Drain Stencil Project, River Ride Microcystis bobbing in the water just over its head. I which endured 18 years, a $500k grant from South Florida felt an apology was in order as it was most certainly Water Management District for Oxbow Restoration and we humans who had drastically altered this primeval getting the River listed as one of the top ten most fish’s habitat. While that cyanobacteria was likely endangered rivers by the notable American Rivers toxic, the fish seemed to be behaving normally. I organization in 2006, bringing much needed national found it compelling to observe the stalwart animal attention to our increasingly impaired waterway. But, calmly enduring these trying conditions and took it as a further sign that we would also survive. through it all, CRCA or Riverwatch and now Calusa I redoubled my commitment not only to protect this Waterkeeper has persevered. At its founding twenty-five precious animal, but to lend my efforts to improving years ago – and this is just as true today - it was fueled by our environment and preserving our region’s precious the energy and passion of ordinary citizens and volunteers water quality. fighting to defend the integrity of the River.

Jan 30, 1999 March 6, 1999 June 24, 2000 Nov 21, 2000 March 10, 2001 May 2001 Nov 26, 2001 August 2002 Nov 21, 2002 th 6th Annual CRCA CRCA Community CRCA Member CRCA Seminar 4 Annual CRCA CRCA Annual CRCA begins a Boy Scout Brian Caloosahatchee l l Forum at St. Meeting & Opening with Caloosa Member Meeting water quality Thompson wins Regional Park Michael’s School of Caloosahatchee Nature Center & TIMELINE& Picnic monitoring award for 140 plans revised to Regional Park Planetarium program CRCA stencils protect Oxbows ” Inside Right” Calusa Waterkeeper Rangers: Amber Streath - Andre Mele - Angela Zarranz - Bill & Lauren Taylor - Bob Mignogna - Brad Quandt Brad Stutz - Bryan & Annette Bowen - Brynn Wolcott - Chris & Ed Shinouskis - Chris von Frantzius - Chuck Anderson – Chuck Avery Chuck Richardson - Colleen Gill - Connie Langmann - Curtis Orvis - Damien Lin - Dana Breda - Danika Hopper - David Waller - Don Wolcott - Donald Lees – Gene & Nan Gibson - George May - Greg Gardner - Habana Zarranz - Hank Appleton - Heidi Douglas - Holley Rauen - Jamie DeLacey - Jane Schlesinger - Jason Pim - Jessica Blanks - Jessika Arman-Valdivia - Jim & Ruth Watkins - Joanna Metzger - Joanne Heroy-Hiller - Joe & Kaye Vaughn - John & Kathy Cookman - John Riegert - Kelli Wolin - Kyle Boutin Leonard Cardone - Linda Ryckman - Liz Taggart - Louise Kowitch - Maggie Stevens - Manuel Aparicio - Mark DeCicco Megan Frazier - Melanie Hoff - Michael Lee - Nash Williams - Patricia Martin - Patrick Kesssing - Patty Whitehead Randy Rogers - Reginald Padlilla - Rob Howell - Robert Crum - Robert Zarranz – Robyn Hammes Sarah Fredrickson - Scott Perry - Sherry Straub – Terry Nelson - Thomas Golembeski – Tom James Tony Quinn - Tracie Bickford - Wanda Klopf - Warren Schiradao - Yolanda Olson John Cassani – Calusa Waterkeeper

They came to us from five counties and all walks of life - teachers, nurses, attorneys, engineers, tour operators, doctors, retirees, fishermen, government workers and captains of enterprise – all recognizing our water woes and wanting to make a difference. And what a difference they have made. They are the Calusa Waterkeeper Rangers. Each Ranger has graduated from our Ranger training academy, typically a series of three two-hour sessions where they learn about water policy, our mission, the science of water quality and how it is important to our fish and wildlife. Since Calusa Waterkeeper became a licensed member of the Waterkeeper Alliance in December of 2016, our Rangers have formed their own mighty alliance and a force within our organization. They conduct water sampling, participate in agency public hearings and workshops, attend county commission and city council meetings, meet one-on-one with elected officials, are often sought out by the media, and represent CWK in the courtroom, always speaking with an informed passion about everyone’s right to clean water. As we celebrate our 25th Anniversary, CWK Rangers remind us of the volunteer spirit that led to the formation of the Caloosahatchee River Citizens Association where the community came together to protect and restore our namesake river. On behalf of the CWK Board of Directors and staff, we recognize not only the volume of work to accomplish, but also the urgency to get it done. And we are immensely grateful to our Rangers and to the hundreds of volunteers who have contributed in so many ways to our mission since 1995.

April 1 2003 - 2003 - June 19, 2004 November 2004 March 19, 2005 Nov 20, 2005 November 2005 Smalltooth CRCA nearly disappears – A revitalized Board At CRCA’s urging, and spear-headed CRCA Annual Member CRCA submits the Sawfish listed as As dissolution is approved elects new President by J. Capece and R.A. Wessel, the Meeting at LaBelle Caloosahatchee to list of “endangered” by the Board of Directors and Members at LaBelle SFWMD funds a $500k Oxbow Community House Free InsideAmerica’s polluted left rivers under the ESA Community House Restoration project BBQ & canoes RANGER PROFILES

ED & CHRIS SHINOUSKIS – ESTERO BAY RANGERS MANNY APARICIO – TIDAL RANGER MAGGIE STEVENS – TIDAL RANGER Chris grew up in Wayne, MI, with a My wife and I are native Floridians. I was a Lee County School District degree in Chemical Engineering from I am from Tampa. She is from Destin. employee for over 30 years, the Michigan Tech and an MBA from We met as students at USF, majority in the Early Childhood Michigan. Ed grew up in Flint, MI, immediately fell for each other, and Department. In my last four years, I with a degree in Chemistry from married in 1980. We also lived aboard served as principal of Early Childhood Michigan and an MBA from Oakland a sailboat in Tampa Bay for a while and the Lee Adolescent Mothers’ University. We both started our before my career pulled us away. Program. My husband, Steve Funnell careers with General Motors, Professionally, I’m a biologist at heart and I live in a 1953-built, continually working in chemistry labs, Chris in but professionally trained as a under renewal, house next to the water quality and Ed in research. psychologist/neuroscientist with an Caloosahatchee. Two of our children Today we have 3 grown children, are engineering minor. Enjoying the and six of our grandchildren live in both retired, living full time in Florida practicality of engineering, I worked in Lee County, a daughter lives in Tampa and somewhat getting back to our industry to apply what we know about and two grandchildren in roots. We love to learn about local our brain’s real intelligence to make Pennsylvania. I am currently a history, travel when we can, go machines more intelligent (Artificial mindfulness meditation teacher. birding, play some pickleball, and Intelligence). I served many years with I had admired the work of the appreciate all the natural beauty and IBM in Texas and then North Carolina Calusa Waterkeepers because it wildlife that Florida provides. but then founded my own company in transcends politics and focuses on We enjoy learning the science behind 1999 and sold it to Intel in 2015. After quality of life issues. What is more Florida’s water quality issues and try some time with Intel, I retired in 2018. vital than clean water? After the to advocate for change based on We are still new and exploring. We will catastrophic blue-green algae scientific fact, not opinion or politics. soon have a proper vessel to cruise disaster two years ago, I felt that I We became interested in the Ranger out more, but kayaking Shell Creek so needed to be more active and not program because of our backgrounds far provides us with local mangroves, just sit on the sidelines writing in sampling and lab testing. Chris dolphins, manatees, and many bird legislators. actually spent her early career species we are learning to classify. Water is a basic human right. It’s testing water in Flint Michigan of all Simply crossing a bridge to look out hard to fathom that we need to fight places! So we are no strangers to over the Caloosahatchee River or San for clean water. When I look into my water quality issues. We both enjoy Carlos Bay is still a thrill. Our bodies adorable grandkids’ faces, I need to giving back to our local communities. and our minds are “wired” together have an answer ready when they ask, Being a CWK Ranger gives us that with nature and with water in ‘Grandma, what did you do to opportunity! particular. As our waters go, so go we. protect us?’

. April 19, 2006 May 6, 2006 January 18, 2007 August 2, 2007 July 18, 2007 Sept 24, 2008 November 8, 2008 CRCA & VP Margaret Thanks to CRCA Caloosahatchee CRCA joins the CRCA files a petition to CRCA and others refile High Enterococcus CRCA Member Cassani England named is named 7th Most Endangered Everglades Coalition, block The Vue’s plan to petition to block The bacteria levels cause the writes Guest Opinion in Conservationist of the River in America by American bringing total build a 27-story Vue building plan after closing of the Cape Coral News Press on cost of Year by Adubon of SWFL Rivers members to 50 development in Fort Myers an appeal Yacht Club beach.Inside RightRiver restoration Enterococcus Escherichia coli (E. coli) John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper

ecal bacteria are indicators of pollution that originate in the guts of warm-blooded animals and can cause rashes, infection and gastrointestinal illness in people. The two types of bacteria used to assess state waters for impairment and public health risk are the enterococci group, in predominantly marine waters and E. coli in freshwater. Fecal bacteria, also known as Fecal Indicator Bacteria or FIB, represent the second highest cause for impairment of Florida waters just after nutrient pollution. In southwest Florida fecal bacteria contamination of surface waters is a widespread and serious problem especially as it concerns public health. Waterbodies like Billy’s Creek in Ft. Myers have had ongoing contamination at serious levels for at least 20 years. Ironically, some of our waters, designated as Outstanding Florida Waters (OFWs) by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and having a non- degradation standard, are beset by some of the worst levels of fecal bacteria contamination. The sources can include wildlife and pet feces but where levels are consistently high, the source is more likely leaky sewage pipes or septic tanks if in close proximity to water. Additionally, sewage spills which have become more frequent in many urban areas also create significant fecal bacteria contamination. In 2017, CWK began an in-house sampling program that follows strict protocols for monitoring at 27 locations every month in Lee County. Our monthly sampling has identified a number of fecal bacteria “hotspots” that are consistently at very high levels. We continue to post those monthly results to our Facebook page and web site, while we work with the agencies to improve public health risk notification. The longer-term goal is to develop watershed plans that focus on source tracing and eventual remediation. An option of last resort, when residents are at high and continual risk, is to seek relief from the courts . Funding for a major portion of our work on FIBs In 2020 is made possible by a Community Impact Grant from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. “This key grant will help cover costs for sampling of Billy’s Creek to identify sources of contamination and has also allowed us to hire a project coordinator - Nonnel Galaviz-Johnson – whose job it will be to raise awareness and engage people who live along the creek,” notes Ruth Watkins, CWK President. She adds “In addition, the grant will help fund production of a second water quality documentary focused on critical threats to our waterways and public health from fecal bacteria, harmful algae blooms and flesh-eating bacteria.”

March 13, 2009 August 26, 2009 Jan 9, 2010 Sept 7 2010 Oct 28, 2010 May 11, 2011 May 19, 2011 June 22, 2011 CRCA VP Margaret Dr. Mike Parson CRCA Director, John Conservancy of SWFL Audubon Environmental FDEP denies of Ceitus Olga water plant ACOE finally England receives First nominated to the (first) Cassani receives petitions SFWMD on Breakfast – MC Wayne Lock rebuild ending temporarily shut releases water Ambassador Award from HAB task force by Everglades Coalition rulemaking for Daltry calls for a local years of struggle by down due toInside high MFLs left had gone SFWMD Governor Crist Kabler Award Caloosahathee MFLs Riverkeeper CRCA and others salinity and algae down to 220 cfs UP BILLY’S CREEK - NO PADDLE Gene Gibson Historic Billy’s Creek, named for the CWK calls on the City and County to conduct an Seminole Chief Billy Bowlegs who assessment of the condition and capacity of the sewer surrendered to the US Army in 1858 system in the Billy’s Creek watershed. Leaks need to be near the Creek’s mouth, runs for repaired, but this must only be an interim measure. For approximately five miles from its too long utility officials have tried to extend sewer life with headwaters in the Lucket Road patchwork repairs. Depending on the assessment’s Industrial Park to the Creek mouth on findings, the City may have to bring its sewer infrastructure the Caloosahatchee River near the up to modern standards. Beau Rivage and Altamar Sewage upgrades will prove expensive but delaying condominiums. A portion of the upgrades may prove even more costly. As politically Creek’s upper reach lies in difficult as funding may be, the health risks posed by EGB unincorporated Lee County with the necessitate it. Furthermore, the City could find itself in remainder in the City of Fort Myers. violation of the federal Clean Water Act as was the case Billy’s Creek has a long history of serious with St. Petersburg and Gulfport. The Suncoast environmental contamination. Leaky sewer lines and old Waterkeeper sued these municipalities over sewer issues. septic tanks likely contribute to the presence of enterococci group bacteria (EGB). EGB lives in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals and can indicate possible contamination of surface waters by BILLY’S CREEK IN HAPPIER TIMES fecal waste. Surface waters contaminated with EGB create a health risk and can cause gastrointestinal illness, infections and rashes. Calusa Waterkeeper examined County and City water- quality data dating back to 2001 and found documentation of continuously high EGB levels. Government authorities have known about Billy’s Creek EGB contamination for years and have failed to In June 2020, CWK, through a grant from the Southwest adequately inform the public. CWK began regular water- Community Foundation, commenced source tracing of quality monitoring of the Creek after receiving reports of fecal indicator bacteria in the Creek. The study uses a raw sewage discharged into the Creek as a consequence stable isotope of nitrogen to differentiate variable origins of the sewage lift stations failing after Hurricane Irma. of nitrogen in the Billy’s Creek basin and is part of an EGB levels remain dangerously high. overall plan for the eventual restoration of Billy’s Creek to protect the quality of life for all the residents who live along its banks . Adding a social justice component to this work, Billy’s Creek flows through the predominantly African American and historic neighborhood of Dunbar. Calusa Waterkeeper has long been concerned that legacy fecal bacteria contamination in the Creek could have potentially harmful public health impacts for the scores of families that live and work along the banks of Billy’s Creek.

Jan 1, 2012 July 23, 2012 Sept 5, 2012 August 13, 2013 Sept 28, 2013 April 1, 2014 July 31, 2014 Nov 9, 2014 CRCA intern Chloe Earth Justice and Amy Bennett Williiams Lee BOCC decides to Ralf Brooks, CRCA & CRCA Director Largest Red Tide Keith Kibbey hosts th Delhomme publishes others sue ACOE presents her book “Along cut funding for other orgs again Cassani pens News bloom in Fl 18 River Ride Master Thesis on over Caloosahatchee the Caloosahathee” to Conservation 20/20 petition FDEP again to Press Guest waters since Caloosahatchee oxbows water degradation CRCA members replace Ceitus Boat lift Opinion 2006 K.C. Schulberg As this Anniversary Issue makes abundantly clear, the Calusa Waterkeeper story is twenty-five years old. There is much to be learned from the early days as the principles of advocacy have not changed and the challenges we confront have not diminished. In fact, the headwinds of Climate Change, coupled If approved, CRCA planned to change its name to Calusa with an exploding population base and aging infrastructure, Waterkeeper (CWK). The call went out for a Waterkeeper and increasingly threaten any progress we might make on restoring an Executive Director. CRCA also sought donors to cover salaries our region’s waterways. and a boat to seal the deal. In December of 2016, Linda and Dan CRCA had desired Waterkeeper status since 2007, but Mattos donated the 16-foot Triumph, a trailer and multiple Waterkeeper Membership required the applicant to have a full- accessories, that CWK uses to this day. And with the increased time staff “Waterkeeper” and own a boat – neither of which visibility from prospective Waterkeeper Alliance Membership, a were within CRCA’s means. However, in 2014, the Waterkeeper major donor in the name of Mr. David Laties, a future Board Alliance implemented new rules, permitting a more flexible Member and still major sponsor of the organization, stepped “Affiliate” status. forward to underwrite the Waterkeeper’s salary through his A CRCA team, led by John Capece, Marti Daltry, Wayne Daltry, charitable fund, the Severus Foundation. and Mary Rawl, applied for Affiliate status In November of 2015 The Waterkeeper Alliance Membership approval came on and received word the following month, December 2015, that December 19, bringing Calusa Waterkeeper fully into the fold of the application had been granted. The organization kept the the world’s largest non-profit organization focused on clean name CRCA-Riverwatch. The work project area as we know it water and John Cassani was tapped to be the first Calusa today was sanctioned by the Waterkeeper Alliance, as reflected Waterkeeper. On January 17, 2017 Calusa Waterkeeper in the 2015 jurisdictional map created by John Capece. announced the name change and rolled out the new logo. Jack Green became Executive Director. We were off and running. To celebrate the name change and official Membership, CWK hosted a “Cheers & Beers” launch event on March 17, 2017. And a call went out to solicit interest in CWK’s freshly announced Ranger program. August 30, 2017 saw the arrival of Hurricane Irma, a whopping category 5 storm that cost an estimated $742m in Lee County and more than $30b nationwide. In response, CWK Director John Capece and Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani created a Google Map pollution report categorized by wastewater (sewage), industrial water, reuse water, storm water, diesel and The following year, 2016 saw enormous outbreaks of oil. Also on the map were results of CWK’s bacteria testing. cyanobacteria blooms on the Caloosahatchee. Local scientists, On October 14, 2017, Calusa Waterkeeper held its first Ranger like CRCA Board Member John Cassani (not yet the training academy. Current CWK President Ruth Watkins and Waterkeeper) called out the DEP for not finding any significant current Treasurer Jim Watkins were in that first CWK Ranger traces of it. DEP quickly responded with an algae “discovery” graduating class. press release. The West Coast was hit even harder with the St. Lucie River plagued by HABs that paralyzed Stuart, causing economic damage and concerns for residents’ public health. On Nov 8, 2016, John Capece wrote and submitted the CRCA proposal to Waterkeeper Alliance to upgrade its status from Affiliate to full Member.

[left to right] Nan Gibson, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. & CRCA VP Gene Gibson, attend the 2016 Waterkeeper Alliance biannual summit in North Carolina [CONTD.]

On July 1, 2018 noted community organizer, marketing expert and film executive, KC Schulberg was tapped to become the new Calusa Waterkeeper Executive Director. Schulberg hit the ground running, setting up an August 6 Public Health Town Hall at the Broadway Palm Theatre - generously offered by theatre owner Will Prather. This was followed just eight days later by a sold-out Public Health Town Hall and screening of the movie “TOXIC PUZZLE,” including expert panel moderated by Rae Ann Wessel, with Dr. Walter Bradley, Dr. James Metcalf, Dr. Larry Brand and Waterkeeper John Cassani. On May 11, 2018, Calusa Waterkeeper, John Cassani, assumed a central role at the Save our Water Summit sponsored by the News-Press. The very next day, CWK graduated 16 new Rangers. Jack Green had departed as Executive Director in 2017 and Reinaldo Diaz, who served as interim ED, left in early 2018 to become the Lake Worth Waterkeeper. CWK was again on the hunt for an Executive Director. 2018 saw historic toxic algae blooms – both Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) and Karenia brevis (Red Tide). On July 2, 90% of Lake Okeechobee was covered in Blue Green Algae. After record rainfall during the month of May, the Army Corps of Engineers began steady massive releases of water down the Caloosahatchee throughout June and July. What ensued was the worst outbreak of HABs in the history of Southwest Florida. On October 15, CWK conducted an Economic Impact Town Hall Waterkeeper Cassani became the “go to” local expert drawing panelists from real estate, charter fishing, tourism and commenting on HABs, interviewed over 55 times on local and economics. The evening also featured video vignettes of ordinary national news. citizens who had suffered economic harm, including those standing on food lines at the Harry Chapin Food Bank on Fort Myers Beach. 2018 ended with two major events on CWK’s bustling timeline: The first, on December 10, was a benefit screening of the nation’s first environmental feature film “WIND ACROSS THE EVERGLADES” (Warner Bros 1957) produced by CWK Executive Director KC Schulberg’s father and written . by his uncle. The second was the filing of a Notice of Intent to Sue (NOIS) the Army Corps of Engineers and two federal agencies for failing to assess harm to Florida’s endangered species before approving releases of Lake Okeechobee water polluted with toxic, nutrient- rich HABs. The lead petitioner on the suit was the Center for Biological Diversity, with CWK and the Waterkeeper Alliance as co-petitioners. [CONTD.]

2019 was a banner year for CWK. On January 9, we were notified that we had received a $20,000 Community Impact Grant from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation to support our work on Water Quality and Public Health. On January 21, CWK produced a Town Hall on policy, regulation and legislation at Broadway Palm, again with expert panelists. Then, on March 16, CWK graduated 15 new Rangers. The next month, CWK undertook its most ambitious program to date; “The Big Calusa” with 5 events spread over seven days from Earth Day April 22 to April 28th. Mayor Randall P. Henderson of Fort Myers, proclaimed it “Big Calusa Week.” The Big Calusa included a launch event at Millennial Brewing, a mid- week Calusa Culture Night, a walking tour of a filter marsh, an all-day water festival, and an awards ceremony at the Edison Ford Estates, capped off by our annual member dinner (graciously offered by Pincher’s Marina owner, Grant Phelan) with keynote speech by former Congressman and Chair of the South Florida Water Management District, Chauncey Goss. including Dr. Paul Alan Cox, Dr. Larry Brand, Dr. David A. Davis, Dr. Parisima Taeb, Dr. Howard Simon, Dr. Robert Zarranz, Holley Rauen (RN) and our own Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani. In October, CWK held two public premieres of TROUBLED WATERS at the Silverspot theatres in Naples and Miami. Both included expert panel Q&A.

On October 10, CWK conducted ifs first continuing medical education (CME) course at Lee Health, taught by medical doctor and CWK Ranger, Dr. Robert Zarranz, to inform doctors and nurses of the public health risks of HABs. On November 5, CWK graduated 26 new Rangers bringing the Ranger corps up to our current count of 84 Rangers.

On May 23, CWK entered into its second petition again with Center for Biological Diversity and with Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), suing the FDEP to protect the public from toxins in the harmful algal blooms that keep reoccurring in the state. On November 23, reprising one of the most popular programs On June 11, Cassani released the first of his popular “Words from The Big Calusa, CWK held its 2nd Annual Calusa Culture from the Waterkeeper” videos, which are now a staple of Night. Calusa Waterkeeper’s public information campaign. Aside the accomplishments listed above, in 2019, we achieved: August 5 saw the premier of CWK’s heralded documentary 734 Water quality tests / 103 Media interviews with the “TROUBLED WATERS - Public Health Impacts of Harmful Algal Waterkeeper / 1736 New FB “likes” / 1862 New FB “followers” / Blooms” before another sold-out house at Broadway Palm with 7 Comments on Agency Actions / 38 New Rangers / 38 a high-powered panel of experts who had appeared in the film Community presentations / and 5,000 Attendees at CWK events. [CONTD.] 2020 got off to a roaring start. We were informed in January Despite COVID-19, we have found sufficient resources for two that we had been awarded a second and larger grant from the new hires; Administrative Coordinator Cindy Swisher to help Southwest Florida Community Foundation, allowing us to John Cassani, KC Schulberg and the Board handle administrative expand our work on water quality and public health, bolster our challenges as we grow and take on larger projects; and Nonnel advocacy and produce a follow-up movie to “TROUBLED Galaviz-Johnson, Coordinator of Community Outreach for our WATERS.” Billy’s Creek Community Action Plan (BCCAP). All through January, February and March, we were in the In 2020, our work on Billy’s Creek takes a significant step forward planning stages for our tent-pole event for 2020 – the successor as the grant we received allows us to ramp up important source to The Big Calusa - an all-day family-friendly water-themed tracing on the Creek. The Calusa Waterkeeper study will use a festival in Centennial Park, followed by a twilight concert for stable isotope of nitrogen to differentiate the variable origins of 2500 attendees called the “CALOOSA PALOOZA Concert for nitrogen in the Billy’s Creek basin. Clean Water.” Calusa Palooza was to feature the world’s Adding additional relevance to the study is the fact that Billy’s original Eagles Tribute Band, “Hotel California.” Creek runs through the historic and predominantly African By March 1, sponsors were lined up, permits secured, American community of Dunbar. So, restoring the Creek sits advertising booked, retailers, vendors and food trucks signed, squarely at the nexus of public health, the environment and stage, lighting and sound on order and street banner erected social justice. Nonnel was brought on board to generally assist downtown. Volunteers had worked hundreds of hours to John with BCCAP but also to serve as our community liaison for organize the event and the Mayor had prepared another this important work. proclamation. The event date was to be March 22.

OUR MISSION : TO PROTECT AND RESTORE But the universe had other plans. On March 12 - ten days before THE CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER FROM LAKE the event - we pulled the plug and began to dismantle the festival. We could not put our volunteers, entertainers and the public at OKEECHOBEE TO THE COASTAL WATERS risk, even as the enormity of the pandemic was not yet fully Though John, KC, our staff, Board, Rangers and volunteers understood. Astonishingly each and every one of our sponsors may all work tirelessly to achieve that goal, the battle is not stuck with us and we have now rescheduled the event for won, and success is far from guaranteed. We face daunting December 13. challenges of recurring HABs, increasingly warming waters, extreme precipitation events, severe droughts, nutrient overloading, wetland loss, aging infrastructure and sewage plants strained by an exploding population base. It is clear that barring enactment of strong corrective measures – far stronger than those we have seen thus far – the next quarter century may bring further degradation to our River, as well COVID-19 has created a new way of life for all of us. And we have as consequential environmental devastation, challenges to adjusted accordingly. We are, once again in go-mode, with a movie our health, our tourism and quality of life, and the very real planned to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Estero Bay’s possibility that large swaths of our state may be submerged. designation as an Outstanding Florida Water, the full-length And so, there is a bittersweet reckoning as we mark this th documentary follow-up to TROUBLED WATERS, tentative titled important 25 anniversary with a heightened sense of TAINTED WATERS, and a comprehensive program to put Billy’s responsibility towards those who toiled to found and nurture Creek on the road to restoration. This year, we’ll be digging in on the organization. Humbled and energized, our team, with advocacy. We have laid out a set of Policy Priority Objectives your critical support, will now carry the fight for drinkable, outlined on the following page. fishable, swimmable water into the next quarter century.

IT TAKES A TEAM TO SAVE A RIVER

We are not the only ones celebrating an anniversary in 2020. While it may be our 25th, we take the occasion to salute the planet on the momentous 50th anniversary of Earth Day, first celebrated in1970.

Join the Calusa Waterkeeper team as we all work to ensure a cleaner planet where future generations always have access to drinkable, fishable, swimmable water.