EAC
E N V I R O N M E N T A L
A D V I S O R Y C O U N C I L
122 East Butler Avenue
Ambler, PA 19002-4476
215-646-1000
100 R A I N G A R D E N S O F A M B L E R
A L O T O F L I T T L E G A R D E N S C R E A T E B I G S T O R M W A T E R S A V I N G S
HOME OWNER AGREEMENT – D O -I T -Y OURSELF WITH EAC F INANCIAL AND T ECHNICAL S UPPORT
Thank you for considering partnering with the Ambler EAC to install a rain garden on your property. This agreement aims to clarify roles and responsibilities for fulfilling your rain garden project between 2015 to 2022.
As a partner, you are expected to contribute to the project. Your contribution consists of: 1) understand and refer often to the How To Manual and this “Homeowner Agreement”; 2) rally or hire labor to install your rain garden; 3) pay for anyone you hire, equipment you rent, and 50% of the costs of plants, piping, mulch, soil, rocks and sand; and 4) provide on-going maintenance of your garden(s). In return, the EAC will provide technical assistance in siting, shape, depth, size, design and construction, provide a native plant list, a list of landscapers and infiltration experts, a list of places where you can order plants, compost, mulch, rocks and sand, rent a sod cutter or other tools, and finally, reimburse half of your materials expense receipts (limited to $500 per yard).
You will be expected to:

Seek to attend a Rain Garden workshop;

Read the How-to Manual for Homeowners;
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Choose a location, and design the shape and size of the garden with assistance from the EAC;
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Conduct an infiltration test and soil analysis; calculate the drainage area to be captured in the garden;
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Select and order plants from an EAC provided plant list;
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Remove grass from the rain garden area before installation; tarp the area until installation,

Divert rain spouts after installation;
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Schedule alternative installation dates in case of rain on the 3 previous days; IMPORTANT – yard cannot be soggy during installation
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Organize and oversee the installation; decide where excess dirt will be placed;
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Give permissions below;
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Maintain the garden for 3 years; and notify us before selling your property.
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Register my rain garden on the Rain Gardens for the Bays website.
PERMISSIONS: (Please initial each line). I give permission to Ambler EAC volunteers for the following:
___ EAC may enter my property to advise me on an appropriate rain garden location(s) and to oversee the installation.
___ EAC may visit my rain garden(s) after the first rain, and offer remedial suggestions.
___ EAC may inspect my rain garden once a year, and offer maintenance recommendations.
___ EAC may organize a Rain Gardens Tour and want to showcase my garden(s)
___ “Before” and “After” photographs of my rain garden may be taken and published.
___ I understand that weather may necessitate rescheduling or supplementing my installation date.

T IME L INE
Planning the installation
HOMEOWNER RESPONSIBILITY
Attend a Rain Garden workshop
Sign this Homeowner Agreement
Select installation dates and rain dates, and notify
EAC
Conduct an infiltration test (Call 811 prior to soil evaluation to mark utilities)
EAC RESPONSIBILITY
Workshops in the area will be announced
EAC will keep on file for five years
An EAC coordinator will aim to be present during installation
Determine the size, exact shape and placement of the garden; Draw a rough sketch on graph paper with plant locations and number of plants
Select plants from a provided native plant list, order from a recommended vendor, and arrange delivery or pick-up. Save invoices.
Determine location for compost/mulch delivery;
Determine location for removed soil; Remove grass PRIOR to installation date
Recruit volunteers to assist with rain garden installation. 5 to 10 volunteers are recommended.
Or, hire a recommended landscape company
One week before the installation
HOMEOWNER RESPONSIBILITY
EAC will review the process with homeowner and provide names of infiltration experts
EAC will provide a How-to Manual, other print supports and useful internet sites
EAC will email a list of recommended native plants, and review your order for the plants you choose
EAC will provide a list of where to purchase topsoil/mulch; and to rent a sod-cutter
EAC can provide information for community service groups, and a list of landscape contractors
EAC RESPONSIBILITY
Stake/flag the garden area or outline it with a hose. Remove any tripping hazards to access your yard
Order a cubic yard each of compost/topsoil and of mulch to be delivered before your installation event. Make the driveway accessible, and cover the piles with a tarp (4x6 or 5x7) after delivery
Call 811 (PA ONE CALL) 5 days before digging;
Utilities will mark your yard to alert to lines to avoid. Notify EAC when lines are painted
Mulch Barn can deliver both in one delivery: (215)
256-8870. Upper Dublin has free mulch for you to pick up, but you will still need a nutrient topsoil
Complete removal of grass over the garden site
NOTE: Can be done months in advance; cover with tarp
Own tarps (15’ x 20’); cover site and anchor down to protect from rain
EAC will visit your yard after 811 utilities markings to discuss possible shifting of garden
EAC will provide a resource list of vendors for recommended sod cutter equipment
EAC might have tarps if needed
Visit www.raingardensforthebays.org
for design (shape and plant arrangement) ideas

On installation day
HOMEOWNER RESPONSIBILITY
Have shovels, hard-tine rakes and wheel barrows; have 2 tarps handy
Provide water and other light refreshments for your workers; Volunteers may use a bathroom in house, if needed.
Provide a water hook-up with a hose that can reach to the garden area, water the same day as planting.
Be on hand to decide where to put more removed soil, and determine on-the-spot changes to the plan
Have your planting plan ready to guide where the plants are to be planted.
After installation
HOMEOWNER RESPONSIBILITY
See suggested maintenance schedule
Register your rain garden on the Rain Gardens for the Bays website
(www.raingardensforthebays.org)
Redirect downspouts as appropriate (NOT before installation)
EAC RESPONSIILITY
EAC can provide additional tools, rototiller, gloves
EAC will aim to have a coordinator present or on call during parts of the installation
EAC RESPONSIBILITY
EAC provides suggested maintenance schedule near the Rain Garden
EAC will provide a sign to post in your front yard or
EAC will provide an information sheet to help you determine exactly what will be needed
Cooperate with the EAC in allowing public education tours occasionally
EAC will give four weeks’ notice of tours and attempt to honor any requests that you make
Home owner(s) signature(s)
Address________________________________________________
______ Date:
Phone(s) H:________________________________ Work or Cell: _________________________
Email(s):_______________________________________________________________________
Likely month and year of installation: _______________________________________________
Other issues/questions:
EAC member signature Date: _____