A board committee recommended the restrictions in October after fishermen complained of dangers posed by fast boats, and, in one case, harassment by personal watercraft users. Publicity on the issue generated about 180 letters, e-mails and phone calls, said Don Pearson, the Irrigation district recreation director. About 130 of those letter, emails and telephone calls favored banning personal watercraft and setting a 10-mph speed limit that would effectively eliminate water skiing, he said, while about 50 opposed the restrictions.

Most speakers at the November meeting supported the ban on personal watercraft, but they objected to the speed limit, saying that lake users such as water skiers historically have gotten along well. Jane LaBoa, the now retired U.S. Forest Service Lead in Amador County, supported restrictions. She stated in November that Forest Service officials have received complaints about noise created by speedboats and personal watercraft from lake users and area hikers.