BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Potentially harmful algal blooms have appeared above and below lock and dam number one in Bladen County, according to a news release from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Officials said it’s safe to boat or fish in the affected area, but the public is encouraged to avoid contact with large accumulations of the algae.

State health and water quality officials provided the following suggestions to keep pets and children safe:

• Keep children and pets away from water that appears very green, discolored or scummy.
•  Do not handle or touch large mats of algae.
•  Avoid handling, cooking or eating dead fish that may be present.
• If you come into contact with an algal bloom, wash thoroughly. Also, use clean water to rinse off pets that may have come into contact with an algal bloom.
•  If your child appears ill after being in waters containing an algal bloom, seek medical care immediately.
• If your pet appears to stumble, stagger or collapse after being in a pond, lake or river, seek veterinary care immediately.

ELIZABETHTOWN, NC (WECT) – Grab some bait, a fishing rod, and throw out a line Wednesday in any public body of water in North Carolina for free.

July 4 is your one chance a year to get hooked on fishing at no cost. Everyone can fish in any public body of water, from mountain trout waters to coastal waters without buying a fishing license.

The State Wildlife Commission added more fish in waters across the state, including trout and channel catfish, to give people a better chance of reeling one in.

Even though the day is free, all other fishing regulations still apply – including size and creel limits.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Recycling data showed that North Carolinians throw away less than they have at any other time in nearly 20 years, largely due to recycling efforts and economic conditions.

The 2010-2012 North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials Management Report showed that plastic bottle recycling increased significantly since the state’s disposal ban became effective on Oct. 1, 2009, according to a news release from the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The report broke down recycling rates by county and Bladen County ranked No. 71. Bladen had a recycling rate of 56.69 pounds per capita.

Rankings of other area counties:

• No. 10 Brunswick County (197.94 lbs. per capita)
• No. 13 New Hanover County (182.17)
• No. 36 Pender County (106.09)
• No. 98 Columbus County (8.77)

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.