OTHELLO - The Department of Ecology is encouraging more applications for the teen litter clean-up jobs available this summer in the Othello area.

"If kids from Royal City and Mattawa can get to the pick-up point in Othello, they should apply. Ecology will transport them to the work site," Ecology's Brook Beeler said.

Ecology's Eastern Regional Office in Spokane plans to hire about 115 teens throughout eastern Washington this summer to help clean up area roadsides, parks and recreation areas.

Youths, ages 14 to 17, who live in eastern Washington counties can apply through April 1 to work with one of Ecology's EYC crews. Crews will work 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m, Monday through Friday, in one of two four-week sessions.

Crew locations include Chewelah, Clarkston, Colville, Ephrata, Moses Lake, Othello, Pasco, Pullman, Republic, Ritzville, Spokane, Walla Walla and Wilbur.

Sessions this year run from June 24 through July 19 and again from July 22 through Aug. 16. Participants will be paid $9.19 an hour.

Applications are available through area school counselors and online. More information is available on the Ecology website at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eyc/, or by calling Lynette Kuehl, in Ecology's Spokane office, at 509 329-3434.