For Release: June 9, 1997 *SEE ATTACHED FOR LOCAL INTEREST - List of communities receiving grants, with contacts

Contact: Bill Pett 277-3434 ext. 4417

Stephanie Powell 277-2771 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - Frederick Vincent, acting director of the RI Department of Environmental Management, announced today that Youth Litter Corps grants totaling $165,000 have been awarded to 25 municipalities and eight non-profit agencies through DEM's Ocean State Cleanup and Recycling (OSCAR) program. Funding of $5,000 per town/agency will be used to employ high school students and people with disabilities to perform cleanups in their communities. Donning distinctive orange tee shirts, Youth Litter Corps members will clean up litter from roadways and public places all over the state.

"These cleanups improve our quality of life and our business climate in a lasting way, as people are more careful not to litter in areas that have been cleaned up," Vincent said. "Our Clean Team workers help to improve their own neighborhoods. At the same time, these young people learn the value of teamwork and good work habits. The Clean Teams join together to tackle major cleanup projects and participate in training programs that help prepare them to be tomorrow's community leaders. The young people who clean up their neighborhoods this year on Clean Teams will remain conscious of the benefits of a clean environment for the rest of their lives."

This year, the 12-year-old program has created 165 summer jobs statewide. Last year, Youth Litter Corps Clean Teams picked up 87 tons of refuse and over 1,600 used tires, and recycled nine tons of aluminum and glass.