What a level means
Every rule in the rulebook and every date on the compliance calendar carries an impact level: how much it is likely to affect a typical project it reaches. It is a rating of the rule or the action, not of any place, government or community.
- High impact
- Can stop or reshape a project, adds a discretionary review or an individual permit that commonly takes many months, or carries significant liability, such as a cleanup obligation, a power to deny, or a short window for a court challenge.
- Medium impact
- A required permit, plan or review with a set route. It adds cost and time but rarely stops a project on its own.
- Low impact
- Mainly registration, reporting, notice or an optional programme, with limited effect on schedule or cost.
Calendar dates
A date takes the level of the rule it belongs to. A hearing or a comment deadline is one level lower, because it is a chance to take part rather than an obligation. A date not tied to a rule is rated Medium unless an analyst sets it otherwise.
Briefings
Briefings keep four levels, because news can be more urgent than any standing rule:
- Critical
- Needs attention now: a change that can stop projects in progress or carries a deadline measured in days.
- High
- A significant change to permitting, cost or timing for the projects it reaches.
- Medium
- A change worth planning around, with time to respond.
- Low
- Useful background or a minor procedural change.
Who sets the level
An analyst sets each level against these criteria. When the daily monitoring finds a new rule change or date, it proposes a level, and nothing is published until an analyst approves it. A level can change when the rule or its status changes.
Opinion, not advice
Impact levels are general opinions about typical projects. A particular project may be affected more or less than its label suggests. They are not legal advice; confirm how any rule applies to a specific site with the agency or your attorney.
Corrections
If you think a level or a fact behind it is wrong, write to legal@environmentalshortcut.com with the rule or date and your reason. Every request is reviewed.