To the editor:

Is peeing in the pool ever a good idea? Apparently, the city of Cape Coral thinks so. Three fishermen do NOT.

In the realm of public health and environmental management, few analogies are as striking as the act of relieving oneself in a pool. Imagine a public swimming pool, brimming with laughter, splashes, and the refreshing promise of a cool escape from the heat. Now, imagine the horror when someone decides to relieve themselves in that same pool. The immediate reaction is revulsion, yet the aftermath is even more insidious: contamination that compromises the water for everyone, turning a communal gathering place into a source of potential illness. This seemingly trivial act reverberates through the community, reminding us that individual decisions can have far-reaching consequences.

Similarly, the recent decision by the city of Cape Coral to remove the Chiquita Lock mirrors this scenario in a much broader, environmental context–and communities such as Fort Myers and Sanibel should take notice. The Chiquita Lock has long served as a critical control point, maintaining the health of estuarine environments by regulating water flow and salinity levels. When this control is removed, the delicate balance is altered, leading to environmental degradation that can have lasting consequences.

The Three Fishermen, environmental advocates who challenged the permit for the Chiquita Lock’s removal, acted out of genuine concern for our community’s shared waterways. They recognized that the health of their fishing grounds and the surrounding ecology is tied to the integrity of water management practices. The city lost a previous lawsuit which reinforces this concern. Their actions were not frivolous; rather, they represented a civic duty to protect the health of the livelihoods and the ecosystems we all depend upon.

The Three Fishermen are dedicated to protecting our waters. Their actions aimed to safeguard the ecosystems that sustain our livelihoods and preserve our resources. Instead of burdening taxpayers with legal fees to target those who fight for the environment, the city of Cape Coral should invest in community-led conservation efforts that promote collaboration rather than division. Protecting our natural resources is not just a passion to these three fishermen, but a shared responsibility, and the city of Cape Coral should prioritize dialog and partnership over legal battles that only serve to alienate those who care most about our waterways.

There is an urgent need for a paradigm shift in how decisions are made that impact our environment. As we navigate these complex relationships, it is imperative to recognize the importance of protecting our environment, not just for ourselves, but for generations to come.

The Three Fishermen’s challenge is a clarion call to all of us: Every choice counts, and collective stewardship is essential for a healthy community. Community decisions affect other communities; we”re all interconnected. By targeting The Three Fishermen, the city of Cape Coral undermines the core values of community engagement and public responsibility that should be celebrated not punished.

Michiale Schneider

North Fort Myers