The first consultation is in respect of the byelaws that have been operating since 1996, and a Byelaw Review Group, chaired by locally elected authority member Alistair MacKenzie, has been gathering information from user groups. In addition, some 6,000 questionnaires have been mailed to users and meetings will be held to gather information.

During 2005 the Park Authority will be monitoring water use, including noise and speed levels. The object is to have new byelaws in force for the 2006 season.

A local concern that there will be a mass migration of speedboats and jet skis displaced from Windermere when its new regime begins remains to be assessed, but Loch Lomond's existing registration and policing policy should both control and quantify this trend.

The second consultation is about the use of Loch Lomond by seaplanes. There is considerable debate about this, with one lobby raising fears that wildlife and habitat will be adversely affected, whilst the other maintains that it has already been ruined by existing power boating activity.

Gillie Thomson, convenor of the Park Authority, said at the launch: "It is very important to base any new proposals for regulating craft on Loch Lomond on sound information, so we need to hear from as wide a range of users and other interested parties as possible."

Interested parties can contact National Park Headquarters on 01389 722600, or email byelaws@lochlomondtrossachs.org for consultation documents.