The political

posturing over a proposed fifth runway at Hartsfield International Airport

revved up last week.

Airport officials

have already received approval to build the runway, but are looking for

the green light to extend it from 6,000 to 9,000 feet.

During last

week's Fulton County Commission meeting, the board passed a resolution

sponsored by Chairman Mike Kenn that directs county staff to work with

the people of South Fulton County to produce a mitigation plan in response

to the expansion of the fifth runway.

Commissioner

Bill Edwards had proposed a resolution opposing plans for extending the

runway, but he did not garner any support from North Fulton commissioners

and the measure was defeated.

Kenn's spokesman,

Michael Harris, said the chairman's plan would give some voice to South

Fulton residents who are concerned about the runway.

The plan marks

the first attempt by Fulton County to actively seek ways to reduce the

harmful effects of the airport expansion, he said.

While Fulton

County lacks any legal hammer to stop the expansion, Kenn still believes

that there are steps that the county can take to protect its citizens.

The mitigation

plan would encompass:

A transportation

plan reflecting the impact of the runway during and after construction;

Inverse condemnation

and replacement costs for lost property values as a result of the extension

of the runway;

Reduction of

acceptable noise level standards;

Partnership

for the future of the South Fulton economy, including investment in educational

and vocational assistance;

Solicitation

of agreements with the city of Atlanta to not construct a sixth runway.

"The Airport

Authority needs to be a responsible party during this process by acknowledging

the harmful affect this expansion will cause the citizens of Fulton County.

And, it must go farther. It must work with Fulton County to reduce those

things that affect our citizens' quality of life," said Kenn.

Kenn plans

to receive the report no later than in 60 days, and will then analyze

how best to proceed, he said.

Edwards said

last week he doesn't believe Atlanta will ever truly mitigate the effects

of the airport on South Fulton citizens, and vowed to continue to fight

against expansion of the fifth runway