1. SERVICES PROVIDED
SeaDogs shall provide DASH services including diver-operated suction removal of identified aquatic vegetation, collection of harvested biomass, and disposal or placement at an approved location. Services also include any other tasks which Parties may agree on.

2. EXCLUSIONS FROM SERVICES
Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, SeaDogs’ services do not include chemical treatments, removal of large debris, rocks, stumps, logs, hazardous materials, or work outside the approved or permitted project area.

3. PERMITS AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 
SeaDogs shall perform all work in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and permit conditions. This includes, but is not limited to: State environmental permit, Local lake, shoreline, or waterfront regulations, Invasive species laws and requirements, Wetland protection regulations, Vegetation and material disposal requirements, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approvals, if applicable.

SeaDogs will file the permit on behalf of the property owners. An authorization form must be signed by the owner so a copy can be included with the permit submission. In Michigan, permits are completed through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Approval timelines can vary and may take anywhere from 3 weeks to 60 days from the date of submission.
 
Additional approval is also required through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) using a planning tool associated with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). SeaDogs will complete the required USFWS review process by addressing all applicable project-specific questions, evaluating whether the project meets the necessary criteria, and obtaining the appropriate Determination Keys (DKeys) and final report for inclusion with the permit submission.

No work may begin until all required permits and approvals have been obtained, including any applicable EGLE authorization and USFWS documentation.

The client is responsible for all permit application fees, agency fees, review fees, regulatory costs, and any additional fees required by EGLE or other applicable federal, state, or local agencies. If additional permit-related fees are assessed or required after the initial proposal, SeaDogs will notify the client before proceeding.

SeaDogs will not submit, continue, revise, or advance any permit application or regulatory review requiring additional fees until the client has approved and paid the required amount. Any delay in payment of permit-related fees may result in delays to the permitting process and overall project schedule.

4. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The client is responsible for providing reasonable site access, permission for SeaDogs to enter the property, access to available docks, boat ramps, shoreline areas, or suitable equipment entry points, and identification of property boundaries.

The client must notify SeaDogs of any known utilities, irrigation lines, intake pipes, underwater hazards, site restrictions, or other conditions that may affect the work. If applicable, the client shall provide or approve a designated upland disposal location for removed vegetation. The client is also responsible for timely payment in accordance with the proposal and these Terms and Conditions.

5. SEADOG’S RESPONSIBILITIES
SeaDogs shall be responsible for providing trained personnel and supervised divers who are capable of safely performing DASH operations. SeaDogs shall use appropriate DASH equipment that is properly maintained, suitable for the site, and operated by trained personnel. SeaDogs shall follow applicable safety standards, including diving, boating, environmental, and workplace safety rules and procedures, and shall maintain reasonably required insurance coverage for general liability, vessels, equipment, and related operations.

SeaDogs shall perform the work in a professional manner using reasonable care, skill, supervision, and industry-accepted DASH practices. SeaDogs shall make reasonable efforts to avoid unnecessary damage to property or habitat by operating carefully and minimizing disturbance to aquatic areas. SeaDogs shall remove harvested material as agreed and dispose of, transport, or place it according to the contract terms. SeaDogs shall also notify the client of unsafe or unexpected conditions, including weather, hazards, equipment issues, or environmental concerns.

6. PROJECT SCHEDULE 
The project will be scheduled after SeaDogs receives the required approved EGLE permit and any other applicable approvals. Work will be completed within a reasonable timeframe, subject to weather conditions, water conditions, permitting requirements, equipment availability, site access, and other circumstances beyond SeaDogs’ reasonable control.

SeaDogs typically works from early morning through evening, 4–6 days per week, as conditions allow. To help maintain efficiency and project focus, SeaDogs generally works on one project at a time through completion, making your project the priority once work begins.

7. PAYMENT TERMS
Payments shall be made according to the following schedule: 

20% due upon contract signing
50% due when the work crew arrives on site and prior to commencement of work
30% due upon completion of the work. 

This payment schedule assumes the work will be completed as one continuous project session, whether completed in one day or over multiple consecutive workdays. If the project is divided into separate phases or requires multiple mobilizations, SeaDogs may provide an alternate payment schedule in the proposal or through a written change order.

Customer payments may be used for permitting, scheduling, mobilization, labor, materials, equipment, parts, insurance, administrative costs, and other project-related expenses. As customer payments are expended for these purposes, all customer payments are considered non-refundable, except as otherwise stated in the termination section below.

Accepted payment methods include cash (5% discount), check, or credit card (Discover, Visa and Mastercard). Credit card payments are subject to an additional 3% processing fee.

8. CHANGE ORDERS 
Any work outside the original scope of services must be approved in writing by both Parties through the Client Portal. Additional work may result in additional charges.

9. DISPOSAL OF REMOVED SEAWEED OR VEGETATION 
When site conditions and applicable regulations permit, removed seaweed may be pumped onto a designated area of the customer’s property at no additional disposal charge. If on-site placement is not feasible or the customer requests haul-away service, an additional fee will apply to cover labor, collection bags, loading, transportation, and any applicable disposal costs; this fee will be included in the estimate or approved before service is performed.

All removed seaweed or vegetation shall be handled in a manner intended to prevent re-entry into the water and may be composted, burned where legally permitted, or placed at a designated upland location away from the shoreline, wetlands, drainage areas, or other waters.

The Parties agree to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, permits, and regulations governing the handling, transport, disposal, composting, burning, or containment of aquatic plants, seaweed, vegetation, and invasive species.
 
10. NOISES, ODORS, AND SITE CONDITIONS
The client acknowledges that SeaDogs’ equipment may produce operational noise during the performance of the work. At approximately 20 feet away, SeaDogs’ motors typically produce about 66–68 decibels, which is comparable to the sound level of a running vacuum cleaner. These motors may operate continuously while work is being performed.

The client also acknowledges that crew members may need to raise their voices or call out while operating from the boat, working around running motors, and communicating for safety purposes.

Removed lily pads and other aquatic vegetation may produce a noticeable odor for approximately 3–7 days after removal. Once the thick rhizomes dry out and are exposed to sunlight, the odor typically subsides.

Muck or organic bottom material may also produce an initial foul odor, which usually peaks within the first 3–7 days. Depending on weather conditions, it may take approximately 2–4 weeks for the odor to fully subside.

11. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
SeaDogs shall make reasonable efforts to minimize disturbance to native vegetation, fish habitat, shoreline areas, and lakebed conditions. The Client acknowledges that some incidental disturbance may occur during aquatic vegetation removal.

12. SAFETY STANDARDS AND COMPLIANCE
SeaDogs shall perform all services in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, permits, industry standards, and recognized diving and boating safety practices. This includes, as applicable, compliance with occupational safety requirements, environmental protection requirements, navigational rules, and any site-specific safety procedures provided by the client or regulatory authorities.

Seadogs shall take reasonable precautions to protect its personnel, the client’s property, the public, wildlife, and the surrounding aquatic environment. Seadogs shall maintain and follow appropriate safety plans, emergency procedures, dive plans, and communication protocols during all DASH operations.

Seadogs shall have the authority and responsibility to suspend operations when conditions are unsafe, including but not limited to severe weather, poor visibility, equipment malfunction, unsafe water conditions, vessel hazards, or any condition that may create an unreasonable risk of injury, property damage, or environmental harm.
 
13. EQUIPMENT
Seadogs shall furnish, operate, and maintain all DASH equipment, vessels, tools, hoses, pumps, collection systems, personal protective equipment, and related materials required to perform the services. All equipment used shall be appropriate for the scope of work, suitable for the site conditions, and maintained in safe, clean, and working order.

Seadogs shall inspect its DASH equipment before and during operations as reasonably necessary to ensure proper function and to reduce the risk of leaks, spills, or contamination. Seadogs shall ensure that equipment used in or near the water is free from oil, fuel, hydraulic fluid, or other contaminants that could leak, discharge, or otherwise enter the water, surrounding property, or aquatic environment.

Seadogs shall inspect its DASH equipment before and during operations as reasonably necessary to ensure proper function and shall promptly repair, replace, or remove from service any equipment that is defective, unsafe, or unsuitable for the work.

14. PROPERTY DAMAGE, SITE HAZARDS, AND INSURANCE
SeaDogs will take reasonable care to avoid damage to docks, seawalls, boats, irrigation lines, intake pipes, utilities, and shoreline improvements. The client is responsible for identifying and marking known underwater hazards, utilities, or site conditions before work begins.

SeaDogs will maintain appropriate insurance coverage for its operations, which may include general liability, workers’ compensation, and commercial auto insurance. Proof of insurance will be provided upon request.

15. VEGETATION REDUCTION AND NATURAL REGROWTH 
SeaDogs does not guarantee the permanent removal or prevention of regrowth of seaweed, algae, aquatic plants, or invasive species. Results may vary based on environmental and site-specific conditions, including but not limited to weather, nutrient levels, water clarity, sediment, sunlight, water movement, seasonal growth patterns, and other natural factors.

While results cannot be guaranteed, the Client should generally expect approximately 70%–90% reduction in targeted nuisance or invasive aquatic vegetation following treatment or removal, depending on conditions at the site.

The Parties acknowledge that native aquatic plants play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and may naturally return after removal work is completed. SeaDogs’ primary goal is to remove and reduce invasive or nuisance aquatic plants that overtake shorelines, limit sunlight penetration, reduce habitat quality, and negatively impact fish, wildlife, recreation, and overall waterbody health.
 
16. TERMINATION 
Either party may terminate the agreement prior to work commencement by providing written notice to the other party.

If SeaDogs terminates the agreement prior to work commencement, the customer’s initial payment will be returned within 10 business days.

If the customer terminates the agreement prior to work commencement, the customer shall be responsible for any services performed, permitting work, administrative time, materials purchased, mobilization costs, third-party expenses, and other non-cancelable costs incurred by SeaDogs prior to termination.

Once work has commenced, the customer shall be responsible for payment of all work performed, materials purchased, mobilization costs, labor, equipment costs, permit-related work, and non-cancelable expenses incurred through the date of termination.