The consultation paper seeks comments on the draft Environmental Impact Assessment and Natural Habitats (Extraction of Minerals by Marine Dredging) (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2006 and draft procedural guidance (Marine Minerals Guidance Note 2) on the draft Regulations insofar as they apply to the extraction of marine minerals by dredging in English waters.

The Government is inviting comments on the proposals, which should be sent no later than 28 August 2006 to:

Mr Matthew Louis, Planning - Resources and Environment Policy Division, Department for Communities and Local Government, Zone 4/B1, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU; e-mail:

matthew. louis@communities. gsi.

gov. uk. The telephone number for enquiries is 0207 944 3877.

The publication is available free of charge from Mr Matthew Louis at the above address, or can be downloaded from the Department's web site at:

www. communities. gov. uk/index.

asp? id=1500386