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

"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."