A generic description is given of the types of activities that may occur, the general location where the potentially impacting activity would be likely to occur, the time of year of the activity, and estimates of the frequency of such actions. Table IV.A.1.a-1 summarizes the amount of some of these activities anticipated under each of the alternatives. Light helicopters commonly are used to examine resources in the planning area. Less frequently, people fly light fixed-wing aircraft. These aircraft transport people, supplies, and equipment for fieldwork and fly aerial surveys.
Helicopters normally fly low and slow.
They have a negligible physical impact on the ground, but their noise can have measurable impacts on wildlife behavior. Fixed-wing aircraft produce less noise and usually fly higher and faster. They have a negligible ground impact if landed on established airstrips, on lakes during the summer, or on ice in winter. When used on unimproved landing areas in the summer, however, they can take a toll on vegetation and soils. Therefore, it normally creates less impact on wildlife.