미국 환경청의 청년-환경 프로그램이 최근 매사추세츠 로웰(Lowell)에 위치한 지역 하수처리 시설에서 열렸다. 이 프로그램은 경제적으로 불우한 도시 청년들에게 환경 분야의 직업을 소개하는 것에 주요 목적이 있다. 또한 이는 환경 교육을 장려하고 고등학생들에게 환경보전과 지역의 수질 관리에 대한 인식을 개선하는 의의를 지녔다.

시내 4개 고등학교의 학생들은 몇몇 기관과 개인의 헌신적인 수고로 하수가 어디로 흘러 들어가고 환경 보전은 어떻게 실현될 수 있으며, 환경 분야의 직업에는 어떤 것들이 있는 지에 대해 직접 배웠다. 이 프로그램을 가능케 한 위 기관 및 개인 단체들은 9월 17일 로웰 시청에서 열리는 기념식에서 표창을 수여 받을 예정이다.

BOSTON, MA, Aug. 19, 2013 -- The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Youth and the Environment Program was recently held at the Regional Wastewater Utility in Lowell, Mass., and focused on introducing economically-disadvantaged inner city youth to career opportunities in the environmental field. The program promotes environmental education and provides high school students with increased awareness of protecting the environment and water quality within their own communities.

Four high school students in the city were able to learn firsthand about where our wastewater goes, how to protect our environment and what jobs are available in the field of the environment, thanks to the hard work of a few individuals and organizations. These groups, that made the program possible, were honored at a ceremony on 9/17 at Lowell City Hall.

The students worked at several "stations" at the wastewater plant, including the laboratory, the pretreatment area, maintenance, and collection system, and were able to rotate between areas so they were exposed to different facets of the wastewater treatment plant operation. The students also went on field trips related to science and water quality, and participated in college and career counseling.

The program at the utility has been supported for the past two summers by a grant from EPA's National Environmental Justice Program grant. The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) received $15,000 in funding that allowed it to oversee the program for the past two summers, working with the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility and the Career Center of Lowell. NEIWPCC has administered this program over the past 20 years.

Mark Young, executive director of the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility, as well as his staff, joined City Manager Bernie Lynch and the staff at the Lowell Career Center as they were honored for the time and effort they put into working with students interested in the environment through the Youth and the Environment Program. 

After the first Youth and the Environment Program in 1990, the program continued for 18 summers until 2007, when funding cuts put it to a halt. In 2010, EPA worked with NEIWPCC to jump start the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility Program after a two-year hiatus.

“EPA's Youth and Environment Program is essential in promoting the importance of water quality and environmental protection to future generations by having water and wastewater professionals help educate and interact with interested youth in the community," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office.

[출처: Waterworld / 2013년 8월 19일]