Although the Streets Run Watershed Association has done much to improve the water quality in the six-mile watershed that stretches from Route 51 to the Monongahela River in Hays, those efforts have gone unnoticed by many.

"People don't realize much about us or what we do," said Ann Scott, secretary of the nonprofit association, with representatives from Baldwin Borough, Brentwood, West Mifflin, Whitehall and the City of Pittsburgh. The organization was formed in 2001.

But now, thanks to a permanent easement for a wetlands area approved by Baldwin Borough council last week, Ms. Scott believes, "The association will have a concrete project to give real evidence to our work.''

A 5,000-square-foot area behind the borough's public works shed and near Elm Leaf Park will be transformed into a three-foot deep wetlands area that will be designed to treat local acid mine drainage that flows into one of some 16 tributaries feeding Streets Run.

"We've done a lot, but there's not a lot to show for it," said Harold Berkoben, president of the association, who told council that the project will not disturb a local sanitary sewer line and will require no maintenance.

He also explained that education has been the main focus of the group, which uses an enviroscape -- a miniature watershed display -- for school presentations. The apparatus demonstrates the harmful impact that litter and illegal discharges into storm sewers have on the water system.

The association also supplies schools with other educational materials.

The group recently completed an annual cleanup of the creek and provided an information booth at ALCOSAN's open house program.

"The wetlands area will serve as an educational location that can be used by various school groups and other organizations," Ms. Scott said.

She said construction of the project, especially the planting of vegetation, could serve as a community service project for schools and scouting groups. The site will be similar to one located in West Mifflin, behind the Allegheny County Airport at a site formerly owned by the U.S. Steel Corp.

"Ultimately, the watershed will result in improved wildlife and plants in the watershed," Ms. Scott said.

The engineering and design aspects of the project will be funded by the association. A local contractor, A. Moranti Construction, as part of a legal settlement for a Department of Environmental Protection violation, will provide $25,000 worth of labor and equipment. There will be no cost to the borough.

The association must now receive the DEP's approval for the project, which should be started next spring.

The association depends on various grant monies to operate, and although it failed twice to obtain state Growing Greener grants, Ms. Scott said that she is hopeful that the group will receive a $20,000 state grant to be used for engineering costs and for the purchase of limestone for this project.

"We think it will be a great project," said borough Manager Tim Little.

"Sounds like it will be an improvement to the park as well," said Mayor Alexander Bennett.