Freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee in the summer and fall have seriously degraded water quality in coast Southwest Florida harming sea grasses and killing fish and discolored water.

Mack said the there could be short and long term solutions. The short term solution, he says, involves limiting or diverting the quantity of the water being directed down the Caloosahatchee and the long term solution may involve improving the quality of the water being released into the river. Right now water in Lake Okeechobee contains large amounts of phosphorous and other nutrients.

Mack could not say how long it would take to accomplish this and he encouraged Sanibel City Council to keep all its options open, including the legal remedy of suing the South Florida Water Management District.

001:07:07 …001:07:38
I would like to see us be able to get some solutions without having to go through the legal system, because a lot of times the goals you’re trying to accomplish you can actually end up hindering. But you need to keep every tool you have available and if you have to use them, you have to use them.

At a recent meeting Sanibel city council members instructed their attorney to look into bringing a lawsuit against the South Florida Water Management District. City council members are working to get legislators to priority to the problem. Sanibel Council members spoke to Senator Bill Nelson in Sanibel and they are planning a trip to Tallahasse to see Florida governor, Jeb Bush as soon as next week

One of the few original settlers left on Sanibel island has been honored by the state. The Bailey Family property is one of 81 in Florida to be named a Pioneer Farm. The State’s Century Pioneer Family Farm program was set up 25 years ago to encourage original families to retain ownership. Wendy Humphrey reports.

Fresh water releases from Lake Okeechobee are stirring Sanibel islanders into action. Residents feel their environment is doomed unless they can stop the release of excess water from the lake down the Caloosahatchee River. Wendy Humphrey reports.

Florida’s west coast has been plagued by a strong red tide over the past month. Some Sanibel and Captiva residents are concerned it’s getting worse and vow to attack the problem. For WGCU, Wendy Humphrey reports.

The past year has been tough for business on Sanibel and Captiva Island, but economic analysts says the outlook is optimistic. Wendy Humphrey reports.

Nile Monitor Lizards have been hanging around Cape Coral for some time. They came to the region as pets, were released, and have multiplied. Now, there’s been a documented sighting on Sanibel. Wendy Humphrey reports.

Nineteen Cubans came ashore on a Sanibel Island beach Tuesday morning. Wendy Humphrey reports. (AUDIO)

Rising real estate prices are making it difficult for some municipalities to recruit and retain employees. Wendy Humphrey reports from Sanibel Island where real estate prices have skyrocketed and island workers are out of luck. (AUDIO)

Following the fatal alligator attack on Sanibel last year, the city becomes the first municipality in the nation to sponsor a study on ways in which residents can live in harmony with the reptile. Wendy Humphrey reports. (AUDIO)

The City of Sanibel is in the process of collecting people’s views on restoring the trees that lined the island’s main thoroughfare prior to Hurricane Charley. Wendy Humphrey reports. (AUDIO)