LAKE WACCAMAW, NC (WECT) – Commissioners in Columbus County voted Monday night to give $50,000 to Lake Waccamaw for hydrilla treatment. Commissioners said the state will also give the town $100,000.

Hydrilla is an underwater plant that can create nearly impenetrable mats of stems and leaves on a lake's surface.

According to a 2011 survey of the lake, more than 600 acres of the lake is infested with the plant.

The NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources said this is the first recorded hydrilla infestation of a Carolina bay lake.

According to park superintendent Toby Hall, the goal is to begin treating for the plant in May. Hall said hydrilla is contaminating 605 acres, but they're going to treat nearly 960.

Hall said the treatment will take at least seven years to complete.

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COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - “It’s All About the Trees” is the theme of this year’s Earth Day Celebration at Southeastern Community College, which will be held Wednesday, April 10, from 8:15 a.m. until 1:45 p.m.

Fourth-grade students from throughout Columbus County will attend the event as a field trip, and interested individuals of all ages are invited. All activities are free of charge, including a picnic lunch that will be served from noon until 1:45 p.m. in front of the Nesmith Student Center.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - More jobs could be coming to a timber company.

At Monday night's meeting, Gary Lanier the county's economic director asked county commissioners to have a public hearing and consider investing $8,000,000 in West Fraser Timber Company. They decided to move forward with plans, giving them an incentive grant.

The money will allow West Fraser get better equipment to help maintain the right moisture for the building.

Lanier says, an incentive grant could add eight jobs at West Fraser and at least 100 timber jobs around the region.

A public hearing is in the works. 

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