BASEMAPS
Basemaps are created for use in road pegging and setting design. They include such information as contours, streams, existing roads, wetlands, timber data, and unstable slopes, to name a few. Basemaps must be created very quickly after arrival at Pack Forest so that road and setting design can get underway. The maps are plotted using AMLs (available for Download on 2000 project report in the appendices -- these amls will require some adjustment to your specific situation. They are also available from the FE Highlead server, just ask for them.).
It's a good idea to have at least one person who knows how to use ArcPlot and can manipulate the AMLs. They can then basically spend most of their early time at Pack making these maps, because everytime you add a new coverage, be it a proposed road or a skyline profile, landing location, settings, whatever, the AML needs to be updated. Fortunately, the AMLs are easy to use and have more code added each year.
Excerpt from the FE Handbook (FE 450 web site):
Plotting Maps -- The best way to view the data that you have is to plot it on maps. If you plot the maps on mylar, they can be overlaid on top of one another. Some helpful maps include: hazardous soils and slope, timber age and type, existing roads, streams, and timber boundaries.