The EYC is the state's largest youth-employment program, and this year will employ 382 high school students between 14 and 17 years old. In this, the EYC's 23 rd year, the youths are scheduled to clean 7,013 miles of highway across Washington state. The crews picked up 650 tons of litter, and we hope to do more of the same this summer. After several years of declining financial support for the program, the Legislature this year increased funding for litter pickup.
Ecology is the principal entity directing state efforts in litter control.
We have a great track record for safety, and we want to continue it. Ecology's central region is made up of Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan and Yakima counties. EYC is funded by a tax on industry, under the Waste Reduction, Recycling and Model Litter Control Act, and administered by Ecology's solid waste and financial assistance program.