Captains For Clean Water: Championing for Florida Clean Water

We were thrilled to have Captain Chris Wittman (co-founder of Captains For Clean Water) on The Sanibel Captiva Guide Podcast.

A fourth-generation Florida native, Captain Chris, co-founded Captains For Clean Water after witnessing the consequences of Florida’s water mismanagement.

Chris grew up on Sanibel and became a local fishing guide. He was able to see firsthand the threat to our water due to high-volume discharges carrying toxic blue-green algae from Lake Okeechobee. This is what made him take action.

He joined forces with Captain Daniel Andrews and a grassroots effort called Captains For Clean Water was born!

Through educational programs and successfully opposing harmful legislation, they have evolved into a powerful organization. They are influencing the coming decade’s Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) to benefit all stakeholders.

Read on and watch the podcast because we want to equip you with the knowledge of the problem so YOU can be a part of the solution.

The Crisis At Hand

Florida’s coastal areas have been witnessing an environmental crisis that’s hard to ignore. What makes the situation worse is the source of the problem – our own current lake operations and infrastructure.

These operations result in high volume discharges from Lake Okeechobee. The lake sends harmful algal blooms, fueled by nutrient-rich waters, to the east and west coasts of Florida.

These discharges not only degrade the water quality but also disrupt the salinity balance. Long story short, this man-made imbalance creates toxic conditions that choke marine life and harm humans too. They pose a significant safety threat while eroding the coastal economy.

“Send It South” Campaign

Understanding the escapades of Lake Okeechobee means taking a deep dive into the ‘Send It South’ campaign. This mission isn’t just a rallying cry—it’s a proactive blueprint outlining the change we need to see to usher in ecological restoration.

The campaign aims to shift the way water flows from Lake Okeechobee, calling for a significant portion of it to be redirected to the Everglades and Florida Bay.

Currently, too much water is discharged east and west towards the coasts, causing the harmful algal blooms and salinity imbalances we’ve come to dread.

By sending more water south, we have the opportunity to improve water quality and regain the ecological balance that these waterways so badly need.

This campaign taps the goldmine of grassroots support. With public education drives and advocacy efforts, it’s gaining momentum day by day.

We need to breathe life back into our bountiful waters and protect the Florida we know and love.

Why Does Water Get Released from Lake Okeechobee?

In its original state, Lake Okeechobee’s southern banks would have overflowed from summer rains. The overflowing water would have provided fresh water for the Everglades.

But, 100 years ago, the lake was dammed and diked, cutting off the flow south. The is the 143-mile earthen dam that now surrounds Lake Okeechobee.

Canals were also dug to join the lake to the Caloosahatchee River and the St. Lucie River.

After all of these changes, when summer rains fill the lake to levels that threaten the structural integrity of the dike, water is released down the manmade canals to the east and west coasts.

These changes now rob the Everglades of beneficial fresh water and send damaging discharges down the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers.

The Role of Captains For Clean Water

Much more than just a cry for action, Captains For Clean Water steps up to play a significant role in the quest for cleaner waters. Education is key in their mission— that education significantly increases public understanding of water-quality issues and pushes for impactful changes.

Efforts by Captains For Clean Water aren’t just confined to the classroom. They show up on the legislative front as well, leading by example. The group successfully fought against Senate Bill 2508. This controversial piece of legislation could’ve set us back years in our restoration efforts.

But, thanks to Captains For Clean Water, the bill fell through, preserving years of progress with Everglades restoration and clean-water initiatives. Now that’s what we call a victory!

The Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM)

You may not have heard of it before, but the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual, or LOSOM, is about to become a big deal in our water management quest. But what is it really?

LOSOM is the key to managing Lake O’s water levels for the foreseeable future. It’s more than just a manual. It’s a roadmap to the health and stability of our waters.

The main purpose of LOSOM is to lay out the guidelines and strategies for the management of water levels in Lake Okeechobee. Navigating the fine balance of competing water needs isn’t a walk in the park, but with a tool such as LOSOM, the process is significantly streamlined.

We like to think of the Captains For Clean Water as the guardians of this manual. They’re advocating for a balance in LOSOM’s implementation.

They ensure it benefits not just a select few, but all stakeholders – including the environment itself. They’re the voice that ensures the regulations aren’t biased, but fair, all while prioritizing our ecological needs. Because in the end, everything and everyone depends on clean water.

What is Happening With Restoration in 2023?

The EAA Reservoir project broke ground in February 2023 and (according to the Captains For Clean Water website) “it will be the single most effective project for reducing harmful discharges and sending water south”.

EAA stands for “Everglades Agricultural Area.” According to The Everglades Foundation, “The EAA Reservoir is located south of Lake Okeechobee. It is designed to store excess Lake Okeechobee water so it can be purified in an adjacent stormwater treatment area (STA) and then sent south to nurture the Everglades and Florida Bay”.

Learn the latest on Everglades restoration progress in the 2023 South Florida Environmental Report (SFER) by the South Water Management District.

Make Your Voice Heard

Join the fight

Sign up for the Captains For Clean Water newsletter
Become a member
Make a donation
Contact your policymaker by writing a personalized email asking your state representatives and state senators to help achieve the goal of clean water for all.

EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!

Photograph of a red and black Captains For Clean Water hats on a car dashboard.

Hats on our dashboard as we drive down Captiva Drive

Conclusion

In this comprehensive overview of Captains For Clean Water and their initiatives, we’ve learned about significant strides made and future plans geared toward preserving Florida’s precious water resources. Here’s a quick recap:

Current lake operations and limited infrastructure have led to toxic algal blooms and salinity imbalances, creating a crisis in Florida’s waters.
Captains For Clean Water aims to address these environmental issues by advocating for more water from Lake Okeechobee to be redirected to the Everglades and Florida Bay.
The group’s direct involvement led to the successful opposition of Senate Bill 2508, preventing a potential setback in Everglades restoration and clean-water efforts.
Finally, with the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM), Captains For Clean Water champions a balanced approach that serves all stakeholders in managing Lake O’s water levels.

Now that you’re well-versed on Captains For Clean Water, remember that every step we ALL take for clean water is a step toward a brighter, sustainable future.

Photograph of Nick and Max wearing Captains for Clean Water Hats

Max and Nick sporting their Captains For Clean Water merch!

Captains for Clean Water FAQs

Where can I purchase a Captains For Clean Water hat and merchandise?

Shop their site. You can find everything from hats, Yetis, shirts, stickers, and more. Wearing their gear raises money and spreads awareness about the cause.

What are the key issues Captains For Clean Water is addressing?

The main concerns Captains For Clean Water is working to solve include high-volume discharges that carry toxic blue-green algae to the east and west coasts of Florida from Lake Okeechobee due to current lake operations and limited infrastructure. This leads to harmful algal blooms and salinity imbalances, posing a serious threat to Florida’s environment and wildlife.

What is Senate Bill 2508 and why did Captains For Clean Water oppose it?

Senate Bill 2508 was a potentially damaging legislation that threatened to undo years of progress in Everglades restoration and clean water efforts. Captains For Clean Water played a significant role in opposing this bill, thereby preserving the strides taken in Florida’s water conservation efforts.

What is the significance of the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM)?

The Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) is crucial in managing Lake Okeechobee’s water levels over the next decade. Captains For Clean Water is an advocate of a balanced approach in LOSOM’s implementation to ensure all stakeholders reap benefits and the natural balance of the ecosystem is preserved.