Abstract
An analysis of current environmental regulation showed, that it contains contradictions, gaps, and it is based on the concept of "negative impact of economic activity" – when any impact of economic activities considered negative regardless of the presence of the affected entity. In the draft of Environmental Code [1], instead of defective nature protection oriented regulation, a new one is proposed – environmental regulation, in which, in particular, used a new approach to assessing the negative impact of economic activity. One of element of this approach is presented – "a mediating natural environment" – a kind of “buffer” natural environment through which the impact of economic activity spreads and changes until it resaces some entity.