Safety Council

Engage Estero Safety Council is made of volunteers serving as a voice for the citizens of greater Estero on safety and transportation priorities and issues. We advocate for related solutions to Village, County, and State Government organizations.

Latest news…
Sign-Up for Property Fraud Alerts

Sign-Up for Property Fraud Alerts

Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comprtroller Kevin Karnes is now offering an alert notification system for Lee County property owners to reduce fraud. When you sign-up, if a deed, mortgage, or other non-Court official record is recorded in your name, you will be...

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Environment Council

Engage Estero Environment Council is a volunteer group focusing on improving water and air quality and mitigating and eliminating the effects of climate warming in greater Estero.

Latest news…
Landmark Victory for Florida’s Future

Landmark Victory for Florida’s Future

Landmark victory for Florida’s future will impact the proposed Bellmar and Kingston Developments, as they cannot receive their permit through Florida’s flawed program. By the Conservancy of Southwest Florida with permission to Engage Estero. February 16, 2024 Federal...

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Health Council

Engage Estero Community Health Council comprises health* and safety-minded volunteers who think about community health comprehensively with a common desire to improve the overall health of the citizens of greater Estero.

Latest news…
Let’s Make Estero A HeartSafe Community!

Let’s Make Estero A HeartSafe Community!

The facts Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 300,000 lives annually. Approximately 95 percent of SCA victims die before they reach a hospital or receive medical attention. How Can We Help Reduce This...

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Wellness: What is it and Why is it Important?

Wellness: What is it and Why is it Important?

(Written by Lee Health for Engage Estero’s Health Council) Much has been mentioned on news programs and other media about Wellness. However, it is seldom explained or fully understood.  During a meeting of Engage Estero’s Health Council earlier this year when this...

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Education Council

Engage Estero mobilizes volunteers in our schools, sponsors scholarships, and promotes the involvement of the community through announcements and public forums.

Latest news…
Estero High Cambridge Students Recognized

Estero High Cambridge Students Recognized

By Mike Wasson, Director, Engage Estero The Village of Estero Council issued a Proclamation its Meeting on Wednesday, March 6th honoring 39 Estero High School Students who were presented the Cambridge Outstanding Learners Awards. In his remarks, Jon McLain, Village of...

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Updates on Issues of Impact

Engage Estero believes the best way to get a community involved is to make sure they are aware of the issues impacting their future, and know how to impact those decisions before they are made. We conduct and publish original research and articles aimed at getting residents Engaged.

Governor DeSantis appointed the Blue Green Algae Task Force in 2019 to “ensure that objective and sound science informs Florida’s environmental decision-making process.” They made their recommendations, and the resulting proposed legislation is currently being reviewed in both the State House and Senate.

Calusa Waterkeeper, a non-profit focused on local water quality issues, has identified several recommendations of the Blue Green Algae Task Force that are not included in the current wording of the potential legislation.

The article below pinpoints what is missing, and how you as a resident can encourage legislators to protect our water quality by improving the proposed Act.

The ECCL’s Greater Estero Community Report (Nov 2020) highlighted the dangers associated with blue-green algae. Any step taken to minimize the incidence of this type of algae has the full support of the ECCL. Consequently, the ECCL endorses the complete implementation of Governor DeSantis’ initiative.

Recommendations for the Implementation of Governor DeSantis’ Blue-Green Algae Task Force Recommendations Act – SB 1522 / HB 1225

Pictured: Cyanobacteria blooms on Lake Okeechobee were verified as producing microcystin toxins by FDEP. April 7, 2021.

This act, the “Implementation of Governor DeSantis’ Blue-Green Algae Task Force Recommendations Act,” requires owners of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems to have the system periodically inspected.

Specific Recommendations of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force:

  • Requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to implement a stormwater system inspection and monitoring program
  • Requires the DEP to administer inspection program according to specific standards, procedures, and requirements
  • Provides for rulemaking
  • Provides requirements for basin management action plans
  • Provides notices requirements for specific notices of intent to implement pollution reduction measures
  • Provides that verification of specific programs must be completed by a specified date to be presumed to comply with state water quality standards
  • Requires DEP to provide all records promptly and in unadulterated form

What’s Missing:

The current bill language has lost or is missing several key recommendations of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force. It’s imperative that the legislature act now, as another significant blue-green algae bloom has formed on Lake Okeechobee and other areas of the state. These blooms threaten public health, property values, and local economies.

Please call or email your legislators (It is typically more effective to call) and ask them to include essential recommendations of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force that are not included in the bill language:

  • Include a provision supporting verification of agricultural best management practices (BMP). Without this provision, pollutant loads entering state waters from agricultural operations cannot be accounted for or quantified. The presumption of compliance is not working.
  • Recommend that Florida Department of Environmental Protection adopt National Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for blue-green algae toxins as new water quality standards in Florida. Without adopting the toxins as new state standards, environmental restoration and public health notifications of blue-green algae blooms cannot be enforced.

2021 Legislative Leadership and Lee County Delegation members and Bill Sponsors:

Senate: SB 1522 Sponsor:

A similar House version of the Bill has not been taken up in any of its three referred committees.

House: HB 1225 Sponsor:

For more details on the Bill, click Blue-Green Algae Task Force – SB 1522 / HB 1225.

Recommendations by the Calusa Waterkeeper.

Thank you for your support.