Water-Related News

Lee County Dept. of Health LIFTS Health Alerts for multiple Caloosahatchee River locations

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Health Alerts Have Been Lifted After Recent Sample Results

LEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) has lifted the health alerts issued on June 29, 2023, July 5, 2023, July 7, 2023, and July 17, 2023, respectively, for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins at the following locations:

  • Caloosahatchee River - Jaycee Park
  • Caloosahatchee River - Overiver Drive
  • Caloosahatchee River - Whitecap Circle
  • Caloosahatchee River - End of Canal Circle
  • Caloosahatchee River - Horton Park
Follow-up water samples taken by the Department of Environmental Protection did not detect algal toxins, indicating the public may resume water-related activities.

It is important that the public exercise caution and good judgement. Blue-green algae blooms can move around or subside and then reappear when conditions are favorable again. Residents and visitors are advised to avoid contact with the water if blooms are observed. The latest sample results can be viewed on ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov.

Report symptoms from exposure to a harmful algal bloom or any aquatic toxin to the Florida Poison Information Center. Call 1-800-222-1222 to speak to a poison specialist.

Lee County Dept. of Health issues Health Caution for Caloosahatchee River-Franklin Lock

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LEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Lee County is cautioning the public of the presence of blue-green algae blooms in the Caloosahatchee River – Franklin Lock (C43 Canal - S79, upstream). Blooms have the potential to produce toxins, and what triggers them to do so remains poorly understood. Since bloom conditions can change at any time, it is important to exercise caution as if the bloom were toxic, even if toxin presence has not yet been confirmed.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • You should not drink, swim, wade, water ski or engage in activities that may cause you to come in direct contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Exercise caution when using personal watercraft or boating, to avoid stirring up or contacting the algae or the affected water.
  • Avoid getting affected water in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
  • You should keep pets and livestock away from the waters in this location.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • You should not eat shellfish from this location.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and partners collect algae samples from reported bloom locations for toxin analysis. Once completed, the results will be posted on the DEP Algal Bloom Dashboard, and can also be viewed on the Protecting Florida Together website, where you can sign up to be notified of the latest conditions.

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation to offer Coastal Systems Master Naturalist Course

Course Dates: Weekly from Nov. 1 to Dec. 11
Cost: $250 to $300, depending on course materials selected
Registration limited to 20 participants.

Deepen your appreciation for our natural world while learning about the habitats, flora, and fauna on our barrier islands and in our coastal communities by taking the Florida Master Naturalist Coastal Systems course this fall.

Visit unique locations on Sanibel and in Lee County during the course's field trips and gain a behind-the-scenes understanding of what SCCF scientists do on a daily basis.

A mix of hands-on activities, classroom presentations, and videos round out the class content, with sessions occurring once a week from Nov. 1 to Dec. 11. Space is limited to 20 participants, so register soon!

A complete schedule, more information, and registration are available on the Florida Master Naturalist Program website.

Florida looks to increase number of wetland mitigation banks, credits available to developers

The state has 131 wetlands mitigation banks available today.

Mitigation credits for wetlands, while still controversial among conservationists, remain a high-demand service in Florida. Meanwhile, the state only has so much space in existing banks.

Water quality officials told Florida lawmakers they intend to open another 30 sites on top of the 131 mitigation banks already in operation in Florida. Mitigation banks today cover almost 227,500 acres of land around the state.

“The bankers are out there hustling,” said Christine Wentzel, a regulatory manager for the St. Johns River Water Management District.

Developers under Florida law may offset the impacts of projects on wetlands by buying and maintaining areas near wetlands that can be restored to serve the same ecological purpose. In a presentation to the House Water Quality, Supply and Treatment Subcommittee, Wentzel discussed how credits are calculated and defended the value of the program to the state’s ecology.

The state looks to grow the available number of mitigation banks as state and federal environmental officials navigate a changing legal environment. The U.S. Supreme Court in May issued a ruling governing what waters fall under the full legal purview of the United States.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency last month issued new guidelines based on that, but officials at the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) remain in communication about jurisdictional matters.

Boca Grande Fifth Street Beach Access closed as a safety precaution

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FORT MYERS – The Fifth Street Beach Access on Boca Grande has been closed as a safety precaution because Hurricane Idalia eroded the beach and washed away the access ramp.

The Beach Access points north and south of Fifth Street remain open.

Visit www.leeparks.org for more details.

Residents and visitors are reminded that Gasparilla State Park, with five parking areas, reopened in the spring.

Lee County will work with its state and federal partners to address the beach erosion issue at that site, with the intent of ultimately restoring the beach access facility.

El Jobean Fishing Pier closed for maintenance

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CHARLOTTE COUNTY – The El Jobean Fishing Pier located at Garden Rd. and River Beach Dr., in Port Charlotte will be closed due to aggressive bees. The pier is expected to be closed for several days.

For more information contact Mike Massoglia at 941-626-4929 or Mike.Massoglia@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.

Lee County Dept. of Health cautions about Blue-Green Algae at Caloosahatchee River-Raleigh Canal

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LEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Lee County is cautioning the public of the presence of blue-green algae blooms in the Caloosahatchee River – Raleigh Canal. Blooms have the potential to produce toxins, and what triggers them to do so remains poorly understood. Since bloom conditions can change at any time, it is important to exercise caution as if the bloom were toxic, even if toxin presence has not yet been confirmed.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • You should not drink, swim, wade, water ski or engage in activities that may cause you to come in direct contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.
  • Exercise caution when using personal watercraft or boating, to avoid stirring up or contacting the algae or the affected water.
  • Avoid getting affected water in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
  • You should keep pets and livestock away from the waters in this location.
  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well.
  • You should not eat shellfish from this location.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and partners collect algae samples from reported bloom locations for toxin analysis. Once completed, the results will be posted on the DEP Algal Bloom Dashboard, and can also be viewed on the Protecting Florida Together website, where you can sign up to be notified of the latest conditions.

Biden administration restores the power of states and tribes to review projects to protect waterways

States and Native American tribes will have greater authority to block energy projects such as natural gas pipelines that could pollute rivers and streams under a final rule issued Thursday by the Biden administration.

The rule, which takes effect in November, reverses a Trump-era action that limited the ability of states and tribes to review pipelines, dams and other federally regulated projects within their borders. The Environmental Protection Agency says the new regulation will empower local authorities to protect rivers and streams while supporting infrastructure projects that create jobs.

“We actually think this is going to be great for the country,” said Radhika Fox, assistant administrator for water. “It’s going to allow us to balance the Biden administration goals of protecting our water resources and also supporting all kinds of infrastructure projects that this nation so desperately needs.”

But Fox acknowledged at a briefing that the water rule will be significantly slimmed down from an earlier proposal because of a Supreme Court ruling that weakened regulations protecting millions of acres of wetlands. That ruling, in a case known as Sackett v. EPA, sharply limited the federal government’s jurisdiction over wetlands, requiring that wetlands be more clearly connected to other waters such as oceans and rivers. Environmental advocates said the May decision would strip protections from tens of millions of acres of wetlands.

Researchers: Coastal ecosystems will drown if world warms above 2°C

After studying more than 1,500 coastal ecosystems, researchers say they will drown if we let the world warm above 2°C

Much of the world's natural coastline is protected by living habitats, most notably mangroves in warmer waters and tidal marshes closer to the poles. These ecosystems support fisheries and wildlife, absorb the impact of crashing waves and clean up pollutants. But these vital services are threatened by global warming and rising sea levels.

Recent research has shown wetlands can respond to sea level rise by building up their root systems, pulling carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the process. Growing recognition of the potential for this "blue" carbon sequestration is driving mangrove and tidal marsh restoration projects.

While the resilience of these ecosystems is impressive, it is not without limits. Defining the upper limits to mangrove and marsh resilience under accelerating sea level rise is a topic of great interest and considerable debate.

Our new research, published in the journal Nature, analyzes the vulnerability and exposure of mangroves, marshes and coral islands to sea level rise. The results underscore the critical importance of keeping global warming within 2 degrees of the pre-industrial baseline.

Got mangroves? Sign up for this mangrove-trimming best practices course

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CHARLOTTE COUNTY – UF/IFAS Extension Florida Sea Grant Charlotte County in collaboration with UF/IFAS Lee County will offer a mangrove trimming best practices course from 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Oct. 11 at Cedar Point Environmental Park in Englewood. The course will cover mangrove ecology and identification, mangrove trimming regulations and demonstration of best pruning practices. Continuing Education Units are available upon completion of the course.

Mangroves are a vital part of tropical and subtropical shorelines. They reduce erosion, provide nursery habitat for many ecologically significant species, and increase water quality. As such, there are many regulations in place regarding their maintenance and pruning.

  • Register online at www.mangovebmp.eventbrite.com
  • The $25 registration fee will be waived for land management and natural resources professionals. Space is limited.

For information, contact Kate Rose at Kate.Rose0210@ufl.edu or 941-764-4346 or Jodie York at Jodie.York@ufl.edu or 941-764-4349.

Mote Marine Lab hosts workshop on red tide mitigation tools

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Mote hosts workshop to discuss deployment of mitigation tools for Florida red tide

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium recently invited researchers from around the world to discuss mitigation tools and technologies for the harmful algal bloom (HAB) that affects many communities across the state – Florida red tide – as part of its Florida Red Tide Mitigation & Technology Development Initiative.

Mote hosted the workshop where Florida red tide mitigation scientists, engineers, and government agencies, gathered to review the current research being developed, discuss options for deployment technologies, understand the regulatory steps and agencies involved, and plan for intellectual property and commercialization issues that may arise.

Red tides are caused by higher-than-normal concentrations of Karenia brevis (microscopic algae native to the Gulf of Mexico), often discoloring the water in the ocean and coastal waters of southwest Florida. K. brevis produces toxins that can harm sea life, lead to massive fish kills, and cause respiratory irritation in people. Florida red tides can also have detrimental effects on shellfish, fishing and tourism industries.

The Florida Red Tide Mitigation & Technology Development Initiative, a partnership between Mote and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), was established by the Florida Legislature and signed by Governor DeSantis in 2019 to establish an independent and coordinated effort among public and private research entities to develop prevention, control and mitigation technologies that will decrease the impacts of Florida red tide on the environment, economy and quality of life in Florida.

"With support from the State of Florida for this initiative, researchers are empowered to present their solutions and collaborate through applied science and engineering to fight red tide while stimulating Florida’s economy through technology transfer that helps transform ecological challenge to economic opportunity,” said Mote President and CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby. “This cross-disciplinary team effort across many institutions is key to developing innovation solutions for communities acro

Army Corps says it won’t release Lake O water in case of storms

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did not release water from Lake Okeechobee before Hurricane Idalia and will not release lake water if another storm approaches, Major Cory Bell, deputy commander of the USACE Jacksonville District explained in a Sept. 8 media briefing.

He said high water in the Caloosahatchee River was due to a storm surge from the gulf that backed up into the river. Until that storm surge went down, the Franklin Lock had to remain closed. No water was released from Lake Okeechobee. The river level rose due to local basin runoff, he explained.

“We have no plans to implement pre-storm releases from Lake Okeechobee,” explained Bell. The Herbert Hoover Dike and water control structures on Lake Okeechobee will be closed 24 hours before the anticipation of tropical storm force winds and will remain closed until after the storm passes and USACE evaluates any damages.

Red tide sets manatee deaths along Florida’s west coast apart, experts say

Water quality and seagrass health play a big role in marine mammals’ survival anywhere in the state.

Red tide in the water and in the air contribute to manatee deaths on Florida’s west coast, setting the region’s waterways apart from other troubled areas of manatee mortality in Florida, researchers say.

In the long run, the loss of seagrass connects both coasts’ investigations into the marine mammals’ well-being, but, according to Dr. Thomas K. Frazer, dean and professor in the University of South Florida College of Marine Sciences, the reasons behind the decline in water quality can often be linked to different factors.

“The last several years have been very difficult for manatees, for a variety of reasons. Particularly on the east coast, and similarly, maybe to a lesser degree, on the west coast,” he said.

Seagrasses, which flourish in shallow water, are the bedrock of coastal marine life. They filter pollutants, act as a nursery to marine life and offer manatees and sea turtles their main food source.

Seagrasses also serve as a canary in the coal mine, their health and vitality an indicator of potential problems. Starting in 2016, seagrass numbers have generally declined around the state and specifically in Sarasota Bay; a warning of the decline of the delicate ecosystems along the Gulf of Mexico.

“One of the reasons why we’ve lost so many manatees in the last two and a half years is from starvation. Not boat strikes, but starving to death, due to the lapse in water quality in (Sarasota Bay), which affects their food source,” said Dr. Dave Tomasko, director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, adding the Indian River Lagoon on Florida’s east coast is the epicenter for seagrass loss and manatee deaths.

“It might be as high as 30 to 50 percent of the east coast manatee population basically starved to death in the last two and a half years,” said Tomasko.

Despite Idalia, drought persists in Southwest Florida

The latest drought monitor index released Thursday [Sept. 8th] shows coastal Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties still in a drought as the relatively arid rainy season of 2023 continues.

The update takes into account rain that fell in our community during Hurricane Idalia and in the days following the storm when tropical downpours moved in with onshore winds from the Gulf of Mexico.

According to the index, moderate drought is in place across western Charlotte County west of Interstate 75 with abnormally dry conditions in the rest of the county. DeSoto County is also considered to be abnormally dry for this time of year.

The update does show that severe and extreme drought conditions have lessened in our area. Those two levels of the drought monitor no longer take up any of Charlotte County, as they have retreated northward across coastal Sarasota County.

Hurricane Idalia caused widespread pollution in Florida’s waterways

Wastewater, fuel and chemicals spilled in several parts of the state as the massive storm caused extensive flooding.

While Hurricane Idalia ravaged Florida’s Big Bend region, rain and wind from the massive storm also caused wastewater leaks, chemical dumps and fuel spills in Tampa Bay and other storm-struck parts of the state.

At least 26,000 gallons of wastewater spills, mostly raw sewage, were reported to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as of Friday.

In each instance, the flooding was so severe that officials said it’s not possible to tell exactly how much wastewater was released. Instead, estimates were provided.

In Tampa Bay and neighboring tributaries like the Manatee River and Boca Ciega Bay, winds and high seas toppled boats, sending their gasoline into the waters below. Hurricane Idalia’s floodwaters are also being blamed for a kerosene leak that sent flammable liquid into a St. Petersburg mobile home park.

The early snapshot of Idalia’s environmental impacts, gleaned from state and federal pollution reports, underscores the typical reality following a major hurricane’s landfall: Waterways under the storm’s crosshairs get stirred with human sewage, gas and whatever else may have mixed with storm surge.

Lee County Health Dept. LIFTS Health Alerts for two Caloosahatchee sites

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LEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) has lifted the health alerts issued on July 7, 2023, and August 4, 2023, respectively for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in the Caloosahatchee - Coral Point Drive and Caloosahatchee - SE 32 Terrace.

Follow-up water samples taken by the Department of Environmental Protection did not detect algal toxins, indicating the public may resume water-related activities.

It is important that the public exercise caution and good judgement. Blue-green algae blooms can move around or subside and then reappear when conditions are favorable again. Residents and visitors are advised to avoid contact with the water if blooms are observed. The latest sample results can be viewed on ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov.

Report symptoms from exposure to a harmful algal bloom or any aquatic toxin to the Florida Poison Information Center. Call 1-800-222-1222 to speak to a poison specialist.

Flesh-eating bacteria lurk in post-hurricane floodwaters. Here’s how to stay safe.

Cases of Vibrio vulnificus infection tend to rise after hurricanes mix fresh rainwater with salty seawater.

In the wake of Hurricane Idalia, health officials warned of a invisible threat in the lingering floodwaters: Vibrio vulnificus bacteria.

The warning comes as serious infections from the bacteria are on the rise, tied to warming coastal waters. On Sept. 1, the Centers for Disease Control issued an alert to health care providers to consider Vibrio as a possible cause of infected wounds, noting several severe and fatal cases in Connecticut, New York and North Carolina.

The rare and potentially deadly type of flesh-eating bacterium "shouldn't be taken lightly," Florida Health Department press secretary Jae Williams said. "It needs to be treated with proper respect — the same way we respect alligators and rattlesnakes."

Florida health officials started alerting residents of the potential for such bacterial infections "as soon as the state of emergency was declared," Williams said, referring to Hurricane Idalia.

Coastal areas of the state, as well as Georgia and the Carolinas, where Idalia's surges left behind standing water, were most at risk for Vibrio bacteria.

NASA scientists test new tool for tracking algal blooms

Harmful algae can endanger public health and coastal ecosystems and economies. Advances in satellite imaging are providing new ways to look at our living ocean.

By the time they were over, a series of massive algal blooms along the west coast of Florida in 2020 would be linked to some 2,000 tons of dead marine life around Tampa Bay. The human costs were stark, too, including a double-digit increase in asthma cases in Sarasota and Pinellas counties, and estimated losses of around $1 billion across economic sectors from tourism to fisheries.

Earth-orbiting satellites have been used for decades to detect algal blooms from space, enabling more frequent observations over broader areas than is possible by directly sampling the water. The most common observing technique relies on the visible spectrum to measure ocean color. However, this approach has been mostly restricted to clear sky conditions.

A recent study, led by scientists at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, has shown how one space-based instrument called TROPOMI, or TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument, was able to peer through thin clouds to uncover powerful clues about Karenia brevis (or K. brevis), the microscopic algae responsible for the 2020 blooms. TROPOMI’s enhanced ability to “see” and measure fine wavelengths of light could potentially help federal agencies and local communities better forecast and manage harmful outbreaks. (TROPOMI flies aboard the European Sentinel 5P spacecraft, which was launched in 2017.)

The scientists examined the West Florida Shelf, a stretch of continental crust arcing from the Panhandle to the Keys. From its origins in other parts of the Gulf of Mexico, K. brevis is carried toward the coastline on strong winds and ocean currents. Recent research has shown that western Florida, like many coastal communities, may be increasingly vulnerable to outbreaks because these algae flourish in nutrient-rich, warm conditions fueled by runoff, fertilizer, and climate change.

Carl Hiaasen to headline upcoming EcoSummit in Sarasota

Nature and culture set the stage for December events during the two-day expo.

Discussion of environmental issues and sustainability practices at December’s Green Living Expo and EcoSummit won’t be purely scientific, especially with Carl Hiaasen on hand.

The event will be run by the Science and Environment Council, a not-for-profit consortium of 40 science-based environmental organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

The two-segment event kicks off with a free, two-day Green Living Expo on Dec. 2-3 at Sarasota’s Municipal Auditorium featuring green solutions for energy conservation, water protection, waste reduction and more. Entry is free with advanced registration, and $5 per group at the door.

The three-day EcoSummit opens from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 4 with a free screening of Australian filmmaker’s Damon Gameau’s documentary, “2040” at the Bay Park’s Nest.

On Dec. 5-6, the EcoSummit moves indoors to the VanWezel Performing Arts Hall.

Florida Stories with Carl Hiaasen is planned for 7-9 p.m. Dec. 5. The longtime author and Miami Herald columnist will be introduced by Craig Pittman, himself an award-winning Florida journalist. The two writers will be joined on stage by local storytellers and a musical guest.

EcoSummit ticket options range from $155 for the summit; $185 for premium, which includes the Hiaasen event; and $285, which includes a pre-show reception and premium seating. An early registration discount of $40, using the code HOTSALE40, is available through Sept. 30. Standalone tickets to see Hiaasen are $85 for general admission and $185, which includes pre-show reception and premium seating.

The EcoSummit will feature lectures, panel discussions, storytelling, and music. Dozens of national, regional, and local experts will share innovations on reducing environmental impacts and encouraging more sustainable practices.

“Over the past century in Florida, population growth and development patterns have increased pollution and decreased the environment’s capacity to process it,” said Dr. Jennifer Shafer, SEC’s co-executive director. “Our natural environment is the foundation of our economy and quality of life; by working together to educate and activate the community, we hope to bolster efforts to conserve and restore our treasured natural resources — and protect quality of life for generations to come.”

Other associated events include family-friendly Ever-GREEN Days at The Bay Sarasota, with a weeklong schedule of free interactive and eco-friendly experiences — such as guided tours, hands-on eco-education, family friendly activities and more – from Nov. 30-Dec. 6.

For information and tickets, visit the EcoSummit website.

Cape Coral Floodplain Management Annual Report now available

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The City of Cape Coral's 2022-2023 Floodplain Management Plan, Annual Progress Report is now available online.

Each year, City staff prepares and provides this document to City Council and City Management in accordance with FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS). Cape Coral retained a Class 5 status, allowing a 25% discount on flood insurance.

According to FEMA, CRS is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management practices for cities that exceed the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.

In CRS communities, flood insurance rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the City's efforts that address the three goals of the program:

  1. Reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable property
  2. Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program
  3. Foster comprehensive floodplain management

To learn more about flood protection and view Cape Coral's Floodplain Management Annual Report, visit this link on the City's website.

City of Cape Coral adds five new freshwater canal access points

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The City of Cape Coral has added five new freshwater canal access points to give residents more access to the waterways they live on.

Interim City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn is available for interviews on Thursday, September 7, at 3:30 p.m., at 1208 Academy Boulevard. Please RSVP to Kaitlyn Mullen at kmullen@capecoral.gov.

City Council approved the funds for these new freshwater canal access points in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. The new access points can be found in central Cape Coral at the following locations:

Please visit this link to view an interactive map with boat ramps and canal access points.

The freshwater access points are on grass lots with a gravel or dirt ramp. Parking is minimal, and there are no public facilities on site. Boat trailer parking fees do not apply for freshwater canal access points.

The EPA removes federal protections for most of the country’s wetlands

The Environmental Protection Agency removed federal protections for a majority of the country's wetlands on Tuesday to comply with a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

The EPA and Department of the Army announced a final rule amending the definition of protected "waters of the United States" in light of the decision in Sackett v. EPA in May, which narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act and the agency's power to regulate waterways and wetlands.

Developers and environmental groups have for decades argued about the scope of the 1972 Clean Water Act in protecting waterways and wetlands.

"While I am disappointed by the Supreme Court's decision in the Sackett case, EPA and Army have an obligation to apply this decision alongside our state co-regulators, Tribes, and partners," EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement.

A 2006 Supreme Court decision determined that wetlands would be protected if they had a "significant nexus" to major waterways. This year's court decision undid that standard. The EPA's new rule "removes the significant nexus test from consideration when identifying tributaries and other waters as federally protected," the agency said.

In May, Justice Samuel Alito said the navigable U.S. waters regulated by the EPA under the Clean Water Act do not include many previously regulated wetlands. Writing the court's decision, he said the law includes only streams, oceans, rivers and lakes, and wetlands with a "continuous surface connection to those bodies."

What’s the connection between climate change and hurricanes?

Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida. Here are some ways climate change is reshaping tropical cyclones like it

It has been a summer of disasters–and many of them were made worse, or more intense, by human-caused climate change. Wildfires burned from coast to coast across Canada. Vermont was inundated by unprecedented floods. Phoenix's temperatures topped 100 ° F for a full month. And now Hurricane Idalia, the first major hurricane of the season, is ripping across Florida and into the Southeast.

Scientists know climate change influences hurricanes, but exactly how can be a little complicated. Here's a look at the links between a hotter world and big storms like Hurricane Idalia.

For answers to these questions, follow the link below:

  • Does climate change make hurricanes stronger?
  • Climate change makes them get bigger faster, right?
  • Does climate change make hurricanes happen more often?
  • What are some of the biggest risks from stronger hurricanes? Are those changing because of climate change?
  • Is hurricane season getting longer?
  • It has been pretty hot in the South and the Gulf region. How will that influence the rest of the season?

In the wake of Hurricane Idalia, Lee County Health Department issues cautionary swim advisory

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August 30, 2023

LEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) is advising the public not to enter the water due to the possible increased risk of water-borne illness. Water quality has been affected by Hurricane Idalia. Swimming is not recommended.

Public Beaches

Heavy winds and rain can negatively impact coastal waters. Excessive amounts of rain and storm surge can increase the levels of harmful bacteria in these waters. The sources of the bacteria can vary and include failing septic systems, sewer line breaks, overflowing manholes, and wildlife.

Storm surge and floodwaters may have also brought debris on to the beaches. This debris is hazardous and has also been subjected to harmful bacteria. Under no circumstance should any person handle debris who is not wearing proper safety equipment.

Residents and visitors should avoid swimming in coastal waters until bacterial testing indicates sample results within the state and Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards. Testing will begin as soon as conditions are safe, and areas are accessible. Test results can be accessed at the Florida Department of Health Healthy Beaches website: https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/beach-water-quality/index.html.

Swimming Pools

Residents and visitors should avoid swimming in any pool until it has been properly cleaned and is fully functional. A fully functional pool has:

  • Been cleared of debris
  • Fully functional recirculation and chemical treatment equipment
  • Life-saving equipment that is available and operational
  • Clear water
  • Properly balanced chemicals

Additional information on swimming pool water and safety can be found on the Florida Department of Health’s swimming pool webpage.

Floodwaters

Residents are urged to avoid contact with floodwaters which come from an overflow of any body of water including rivers, lakes, or the Gulf of Mexico. Floodwater may contain fecal matter from sewage systems, septic overflow, agricultural waste, and industrial waste. Floodwaters also mask debris, downed powerlines, animals, and other hazards.