The Public Safety Department is responsible for the protection and safety of all association amenities, our largest amenity being our 200 square acre lake. Our number one focus on the lake is, and always will be, your safety. A close second to safety would be education which is also the primary tool in aiding safe boating practices. The Public Safety Department strives to provide a safe, family-friendly and enjoyable environment for our resident members and their guest. Some of the methods of doing so are listed below:
Pursuant to SVLA Rules & Regulations 5.1.4, all vessel operators must obtain and maintain a SVLA Vessel Operators Permit (VOP). To obtain a permit, an operator must possess a valid driver’s license, be at least 16 years of age and pass a written test covering SVLA boating regulations. This is done to ensure that people operating vessels on Spring Valley Lake are responsible for understanding our proprietary boating regulations and have achieved a higher level of awareness compared to operating requirements set by the state and other public waterways.
Included in SVLA Rules & Regulations 5.2 are the registration requirements for Spring Valley Lake. These requirements ensure that the vessels being placed upon Spring Valley Lake have passed a thorough safety inspection from Public Safety Officers, have minimum liability coverage of $300,000 and are free of foreign marine life that poses a threat to our lake and its eco-system.
The Public Safety Department maintains three water patrol crafts to provide a thorough patrol of the lake as needed. Public Safety personnel assigned to lake patrol will enforce SVLA Rules & Regulations and other applicable California Harbor and Navigation codes as needed. The methods of enforcement may range from casual verbal conversation to advise of safety concerns, a written documentation of warning, and/or a citation notice to be reviewed and voted upon by the SVLA Board of Directors.
All Public Safety staff receives regular training on SVLA boating Rules & Regulations, boating safety and other proprietary registration and permit requirements. If at any time you have questions, comments or concerns regarding boating or other lake activities, feel free to ask any one of our officers, dispatchers and lifeguards. If needed, they will direct you the necessary resource. We ask that all resident members and guest take the time to become familiar with the SVLA boating practices and regulations. In partnership with mindful residents, the Public Safety Department can achieve our goal of a safe and friendly lake.
