Vanderburgh County Soil Water Conservation District

Participant Agreement- Rain Barrel  

Backyard Conservation Program

The Backyard Conservation Program is an incentive program intended to assist with the expenses to property owners for implementing backyard conservation practices that benefit water quality and wildlife habitat on non-agricultural private land, that are not eligible for programs offered by the United States Department of Agriculture. The goal of this program is to help property owners practice better environmental stewardship by providing financial assistance for the implementation of conservation practices that would otherwise not be implemented without financial assistance.

The expectation of the Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors (hereinafter referred to as SWCD) is that Participants in the Backyard Conservation Program are responsible for the conservation of natural resources under their management.  Thus, Participants should be actively engaged in the conservation planning process and contribute financially to conservation practice implementation.  Long-term operation and maintenance of conservation practices is the responsibility of the Participant.  

All property owners within Vanderburgh County are eligible for Backyard Conservation Program.  All applicants must sign a Participant Agreement between the SWCD and the Property owner.

The following are not eligible for Rebates: Practices required as a result of a court order; Practices required for compliance with local zoning and or building codes or permits; Practices required by mitigation. All Backyard Conservation Program funds are on a first come first serve basis. No consideration of race, gender, religion, political affiliation, working or volunteer positions will be made during the application process.

Project goals: Rain barrels are used to catch water flowing from building gutters. Rain barrels reduce the amount of storm water runoff by collecting rain from rooftops and storing the water for future use. Rain barrels can be a low cost alternative to using tap water for watering yards and gardens. In peak volume and velocity of storm water runoff rain barrels help reduce the amount of rainwater entering the local sewer systems, which in turn can reduce the damaging effects of localized flooding. Rain barrels are a good way for property owners to support watershed conservation in our community.

I wish to cooperate with the Vanderburgh County Soil & Water Conservation District Backyard Conservation Program in achieving soil and water conservation in my community.  I am asking for a rebate towards the purchase and installation of a rain barrel on my property.  The property owner is responsible for the maintenance of the rain barrel and site. The SWCD is in no way liable for any design or installation work of the rain barrel at installation time or in the future. The property owner agrees to provide the SWCD with the location, a site description, and a photograph of the installed rain barrel before the rebate check is mailed to the participant. The property owner also agrees to allow the SWCD to photograph and publicize the rain barrel for conservation education and promotion.
 Site located at: _____________________________________________________________________

Site description: ____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Owner Name: _____________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________

Phone:  ___________________________________________________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________________________________

Owner Sign:  ___________________________________________ Date:  ______________________

SWCD Supervisor Sign:  __________________________________Date:  ______________________