Helicopter activity will resume in the upper Catherine and Major Creek areas this fall as part of a project to restore historic forest types in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.  The work is part of a U.S. Forest Service/Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area project to restore historic landscapes and reduce fire risks.  The project is designed to improve forest health by creating a more open forest type comprised of fewer, larger, more widely spaced trees that will resemble historic landscapes once found in this part of the Gorge.  Benefits include a reduction in the risk of high-intensity wildfire, and an increase in native biodiversity over time.  Residents and visitors to the area should expect to hear helicopter noise during daylight hours and may see helicopters carrying logs and other cargo.  For public and operator safety, access into the specific areas where operations are taking place may be limited.