There are still two weeks left for the public to respond to a consultation by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) on its draft operating plan and associated environmental report.

Under the provisions of Regulation 16 of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Scotland) Regulations 2004, HIE has its first strategic environmental assessment to gauge the potential significant effects its draft operating plan may have on the environment.

HIE is seeking responses to the environmental report and draft operating plan both of which are available on HIE's website. The consultation questions can be accessed by following the link as directed.

Hard copies of the environmental report, operating plan and consultation questions are also available for collection from:

Archie Prentice
Sustainable development and environment manager
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Cowan House
Inverness Retail and Business Park
Inverness IV2 7GF

or by telephoning  01463 244254.

All responses should be submitted by Friday 26 January 2007.
Hard copies should be returned to Archie Prentice at the above address.