Ecology Youth Corps heads to highways to pick up litter

High-school-age youths will return to Eastern Washington roadsides this week to clean up litter tossed by motorists.

Teens aged 14 to 17 will work this summer along roadsides near Chewelah, Clarkston, Colville, Ephrata, Inchelium, Moses Lake, Othello, Pasco, Pullman, Republic, Ritzville, Spokane, Walla Walla and Wilbur.

The last time crews cleaned up litter in the Walla Walla vicinity was in 1998 because of the active local participation in the Department of Transportation’s “Adopt a Highway” program. But that participation has dropped off and the need is back for the Ecology Youth Corps (ECY) crews in Walla Walla.

EYC crew members receive $9.04 per hour and work 7.5 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Crews will operate this year from June 25 through July 20. Second session crews will start July 23 and work through Aug. 17.

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology), which operates the EYC program, urges motorists to use extra caution when they see the orange “Ecology youth working” signs along state highways.

“Safety is our number-one priority” said Gary Lambacher, regional litter administrator and coordinator for the EYC. “We’re proud of the work our youth does to help keep our roadways litter-free, and we need everyone’s help watching out for their safety while they’re out on the roadsides.”

In 2011, EYC litter crews cleaned just under 5,225 miles of roadways, picked up 505 tons of litter and recycled 90 tons of materials.

“Every driver needs to stay alert when passing a litter crew,” said Lambacher. “These are kids who are interviewed and hired for an important job. For most workers, this is their first job. It’s all of our responsibility to make sure these youths stay safe while they’re doing this work for us.”

EYC is an important part of an overall Ecology-coordinated effort that removes more than 3,500 tons of litter and illegally dumped materials statewide. Other participants include county and city litter cleanup programs and the state departments of Natural Resources, Transportation and Corrections.

Littering can draw fines of up to $1,025. Fines for illegal dumping are $1,000 to $5,000 plus jail time.