Wahkiakum County Commissioners George Trott, Dan Cothren and Blair Brady on Tuesday authorized an application for state Department of Ecology funds for the county’s garbage recycling program.

Public Works Director Pete Ringen said the two year grant would total $95,000. The DOE grant would provide $71,250; the county’s Current Expense Fund provides the balance, $23,750. Term of the grant is 2008 and 2009.

“Without the grant, we couldn’t run the program,” Ringen said.

In 2006, the county took in $2,218 in revenue from recycling; expenses were $27,317.

In 2007, revenues were $4,031 and expenses were $33,920.

The increased revenues appeared to result from new and improved recycling containers, Trott said, rising fuel costs probably were responsible for the increase in expenses.

“The recycling bins are having their desired effect,” Ringen said.

The grant would also fund some education including programs for schools and recycling brochures for county residents.