James Evans Elected to Lead Watershed Council  March 20, 2009

Biologist James Evans, who works for the City of Sanibel, was elected Chairman by Watershed Council members on March 19th.  Mr. Evans has been an active member of the Council for many years, and has served as a strong advocate of science-based water resource management throughout his career. 

Aquatic biologist John Cassani, who co-founded the Council and chaired it for the past three years, was thanked by members for his dedicated service.  He will remain active as a member of the Council's Board of Directors.

The Watershed Council again asks the South Florida Water Management District to establish  a reservation of water for the Caloosahatchee River The Watershed Council initially requested that a reservation of water be established in 2002 out of concern that the Caloosahatchee River is not considered an “existing legal user” of water resources when it comes to the process of allocating water resources.  It appeared likely that the River, which is a tremendously important resource in Southwest Florida, would need extraordinary consideration in order to be guaranteed a flow regime which will support the ecological and economic needs of this region.

The Watershed Council has continually been assured by the South Florida Water Management District and other entities such as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that the Caloosahatchee would receive the water it needs, but this has not been the case.  Since the adoption of the Minimum Flow and Level (MFL) rule for the Caloosahatchee River in September 2001, there have been exceedences to the rule in 2002, 2004, 2007 and 2008.  The last two consecutive years constituting a violation of the rule, causing, by definition significant harm to the resource.  2007 and 2008 drought conditions played a significant role in addition to water supply demands which are apparently over allocated as evidenced by the poor performance record of meeting minimum flow targets through the period of record.  South Florida Water Management District policy that allowed redirecting Caloosahatchee Basin runoff during the 2007/2008 dry season to Lake Okeechobee via S-77, rather than allowing the basin’s stored runoff to flow downstream to the estuary at a critical time, further magnified the low flow problem.  The redirected negative flows occurred through much of the 2007/2008 dry season.

Once again, the Watershed Council has requested that the South Florida Water Management District act on the promises it has made and take the steps necessary to protect the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary.  Click here to read the letters we have sent and received over the years and to read the latest exchange -- a letter written in October, 2008 to the SFWMD.

Draft Caloosahatchee Riverway Betterment Financially and Ecologically Sustainable Concept For The C-43 Reservoir, Southwest Florida:  Corresponding with the Caloosahatchee River Restoration Plan per Florida Statute 373.4595 Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program; Caloosahatchee River Watershed Protection Plan

Florida Department of Environmental Protection draft total maximum daily load report for waterbodies in the Everglades West Coast Basin

The Department has completed draft total maximum daily load reports for several waterbodies in the Everglades West Coast Basin. These TMDLs were presented at workshops in early July.   Further information on the reports and workshops may be requested by contacting Jan Mandrup-Poulsen at: 850/245-8448 or by e-mail at: jan.mandrup-poulsen@dep.state.fl.us.

Watershed Council Priorities

Fort Myers - April 2, 2008

The Southwest Florida Watershed Council hosted a Summit attended by 14 Non-Governmental Organizations on March 20th to facilitate effective communication regarding water resource issues amongst the groups.  Participants also prioritized the issues as follows:

Score       Issue:

16             Fertilizer ordinance (local and regional) and associated state legislation, effective public outreach on the issue

12             Florida Forever successor program
 

8               State preemption of local decision making

8              Lake Okeechobee and associated regional CERP projects

7              Support for DRGR studies and legislation /rules to implement conclusions

6             The Harper Report and its influence on state stormwater rules and its affect on future permitting

 

Troubled Waters:  An Analysis of 2005 Clean Water Act Compliance

Christy Leavitt, Clean Water Advocate

Environment Florida Research & Policy Center

Click here to access the report

EPA Watershed News

http://www.epa.gov/watershed/news.html

EROC Ordinance

Regulation of professional landscape management practices including the application of fertilizers containing nitrogen and/or phosphorus in Lee County.  Draft for county ordinance available and county guidelines available.

Click here for ordinance draft                                                                                                               

Click here ordinance evaluation guidelines

Caloosahatchee River Basin New EPA Established TMDLs:

http://www.epa.gov/region4/water/tmdl/florida/index.htm#caloos