However, the Omihachiman Youth Chamber of Commerce sought to restore the canal as the pride of Omihachiman and pressed for reconsideration of the plan, organizing a petition drive and volunteer cleaning campaign aimed at the restoration of the canal.
しかし、近江八幡青年会議所は堀を近江八幡の誇りとして蘇らせようと、改修計画の見直しを迫り、八幡堀復活を求めて署名運動・自主清掃活動を行った。