Fulton County District 7 Commissioner William "Bill" Edwards has released a synopsis of an upcoming Fulton County consultant's report on the potential impacts of the proposed fifth runway at Hartsfield International Airport.

The Clough, Harbor and Associates LLP report, expected to be ready by Feb. 14, is based on historical research, data and the city of Atlanta Department of Aviation's draft environmental impact statement.

Among the effects the runway will have on South Fulton County, according to the report, are vacant buy-out areas that present a negative image, displaced businesses, equity concerns regarding minority businesses and residents, perception of instability, thousands of people affected, noise preventing development, blight and decreasing property values.

The full text of the synopsis is as follows:

"The Hartsfield master plan is based entirely on construction of the sixth runway, which casts a pall over residential and business investment in the impacted communities and contributes to the ongoing deterioration.

"The majority of the buy-out areas remain vacant, presenting a negative community image, and do not contribute to the tax base.

"Business displacement is another challenge to the expansion project and many businessmen in the project area contend that news of the expansion stifles commerce in the area.

"Business displacement can be especially disruptive when the community in question exhibits long-term stability, a common ethnic identity, or represents senior citizens.

"Minority business displacement raises some special equity and environmental justice concerns because having even one minority business, church, community center, or clinic taken is significant because of the severe underrepresentation of minority businesses.

"Any threat to minority businesses can have a destabilizing effect on minority communities.

"The study area is likely to capture a significant portion of lower-paying service-related jobs which often draw more transient households, require rental housing, and do not necessarily contribute to the economic improvement of the area.

"Hartsfield's community participation and mitigation efforts are non-supportive compared to programs and involvement of other major airports (such as O'Hare, LAX, and San Fran who have taken active roles in support of surrounding businesses and residents).

"The constant change in airport boundaries has led to the perception of instability, which has contributed a loss of investment in business and housing repair and maintenance.

"Nearly 28,000 people will be impacted and nearly 2,400 individuals displaced by the fifth runway expansion.

"For many South Fulton residents, airport noise has forced restrictions on outdoor activities and opening windows.

"Airport encroachment in South Fulton has contributed to blighted conditions and a lack of community spirits and initiative.

"Decreasing property values and the inability to sell real estate in the South Fulton area is the reason many single-family residences are renter occupied, which also results in a more transient population and lack of community investment.

"Populations within the study area are mainly young or old and seen to be transient, which makes it difficult for communities to attract young, stable families that would add to the stability of the community.

Many of the South Fulton neighborhoods that were included in early buy-outs have since become abandoned communities with dilapidated buildings that are a favorite spot of substance abusers.

"A primary problem with housing displacement is the availability of replacement housing.

"According to the city of Atlanta Department of Aviation, the extensive impacts of noise in College Park will likely prevent future housing development from occurring.

"The entire South Fulton Study area is an environment justice area and is disproportionately and adversely impacted by construction, displacement, disruption and safety with regard to all of the DOA&rsquo's proposed alternatives.

"Negative impacts of the airport expansion include relocation, public health and safety, noise and vibration, traffic and transportation, air quality, land use, socioeconomic, visual, etc.

"The lack of adequately mitigating adverse impacts is discriminatory to the large minority population that nearly surrounds the airport.

"Financial relocation assistance alone to mitigate displacement impacts is overstated, since displaced minority homeowners or renters, unlike their white counterparts, often face discrimination in their replacement housing search."