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Researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Mote Marine Lab, and Boston University recently embarked on a scientific expedition to investigate the underlying causes of Stony Coral Tissue Disease, the leading agent of coral coverage decline along the Florida Reef Tract (FRT). 

The Alucia, a 184-foot research vessel, led scientists through a two-week scientific expedition to further assess the degrading health of the Florida Reef Tract struck by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease. (Source: OceanX)

The Center for Social Change (C4SC) is a coworking space for public interest organizations located in the heart of Coral Gables, FL, where organizations, including nonprofits and social entrepreneurs, work from and participate as members. The Center incorporates a community environment with its meeting spaces, access to events and educational opportunities, and more. Once a month, members of C4SC come together to give quick informative pitches, appraising each other of ongoing efforts. Valerie Hill, Director of Operations & Membership from C4SC, explains this effort as “a way for our members to practice their pitch, get to know each other, and enhance collaboration.” 

On May 5, 2020, Miami Waterkeeper, Friends of Biscayne Bay, National Parks Conservation Association, Everglades Law Center Inc., and the Sierra Club sent a letter to FDEP requesting an extension of time to determine whether to file a Petition for an Administrative Hearing regarding Turkey Point's Clean Water Act NPDES Permit. 

Please join us in congratulating Miami Waterkeeper's Community Engagement Coordinator, Casey Dresbach, on the recent completion of her Master's degree in Marine Conservation at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science! As the Outreach Intern for Florida Inland Navigation District (F.I.N.D.)’s Biscayne Bay Restoration Partnership (BBRP), Casey created an outreach strategy to support the restoration of Biscayne Bay through the establishment of interagency partnerships; both non-governmental and governmental.

Screenshot of the BBRP website with the logo embedded on the home page. *The website is in draft form, if BBRP believes it is a necessary budget item, it will be published and made accessible to the public.

As marinas, parks, and beaches start to open up, we know you’re excited as we are to get back in the water. You might be wondering how clean the water is before you jump back in (of course, respecting social distancing guidelines and local ordinances regarding access!).  

We’re here to help inform you so you can make the most educated decision before hopping in to cool off as the hot summer approaches!

On March 26, 2020, the EPA issued a memorandum announcing that it is temporarily suspending enforcement action due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Where the EPA agrees that COVID-19 was the cause of noncompliance, it “does not expect to seek penalties for violations of routine compliance monitoring, integrity testing, sampling, laboratory analysis, training, and reporting or certification obligations.” Additionally, the EPA suggests that it will be less likely to carry out enforcement action if other types of violations, like exceedances of effluent limits, were caused by the pandemic. 

(Source: Earth Justice)

In honor of Earth Day 2020, Miami Waterkeeper’s Outreach Coordinator, Collin Schladweiler led a virtual presentation hosted by FORCE-E Scuba Centers! Viewers learned about our community programs, including our new digital tools, and learned the latest information about what is happening currently in our oceans and our waterways.

Point source pollution is the direct deposit of pollutants into a waterbody from an identifiable source such as a sewage treatment plant or a factory. On April 23, 2020, in County of Maui v. Hawai’i Wildlife Fund, the United States Supreme Court ruled that point source discharges to navigable waters through groundwater are to be regulated under the Clean Water Act. This final decision leaves vital rights for the oceans, rivers, lakes of the United States in place -- a significant water win for all!

(Source: REUTERS, Sarah Silbiger)

Please join us in congratulating Nicole Sedran on her recent completion of her Master's degree! As Programs Intern with Miami Waterkeeper, Nicole helped curate content for Miami Waterkeeper's fertilizer outreach and education campaign. Throughout her internship, Nicole completed a series of projects, working closely with Miami Waterkeeper staff on both the Fertilizer Campaign and 1,000 Eyes on the Water Program.