I've seen a lot of stories online about gated communities and HOA's. If they can't enjoy something then they want to make sure that nobody does.
Exactly what environmental issues do they have a problem with? Is it noise pollution (a common gripe anywhere) or the fuel ruining the water? If they're running weed-eaters, lawnmowers and leaf-blowers there, those can be much louder than your boat(s). If they worry about the fuel then they're doing more damage than you ever could if you ran 24/7/365 with lawn fertilizers or run-off from any drainage to the pond. The HOA doesn't like to lose so you've got a battle to try to win as you're one against them.

With noise, we've got a big issue in a small town just northwest of me. On their agenda is a noise ordinance which would require that there be no noise above 82 dB during the day and after 11:00 PM, a 55 dB limit. most of this burg is farming so any farm equipment will easily go over 82 dB not to mention most vehicles of any kind. The initial aim was to quiet down a local oval track, Kalamazoo Speedway yet the residents don't fully realize how this ordinance could affect them as if enacted could come back to bite them in the butt. with we as RC boaters operating nitro or gas powered boats, most of us have a grasp on how quiet 82 or 55 dB's are.