WINNSBORO, S.C. — The S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is asking the community to report sightings of an invasive plant from Brazil that’s banned in the U.S.

Known as giant salvinia , the fast-growing water fern is spreading in Lake Wateree and poses threats to businesses, boating, fishing, and even drinking water.

Brian Anderson, a sales associate at Wateree Marina and Powersports, is concerned about the plant’s impact on his job.

"It can impact boat propellers. We sell jet skis. It actually sucks up into jet ski intakes, does a lot of damage there and actually can cost a lot of money to fix,” Anderson said.

While giant salvinia hasn’t reached the Kershaw County side of the lake yet, it’s appearing on the north side and could spread quickly. Anderson says it has

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