BETHEL – The White Mountain National Forest will be hosting an open house from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, at the Evans Notch Ranger Station on Mayville Road.

Forest planners will be there with maps and information to explain the four management alternatives now being considered for the new forest plan. The plan describes the desired future condition of the land and outlines the locations for allowable uses and intensity levels for forest management activities and public uses.

The Forest Service has chosen one of the four alternatives as the preferred management approach for the White Mountain National Forest over the next 15 years. It includes an allowable timber harvest level of 24 million board feet per year; wildlife habitat management to maintain species viability; recommendations to increase wilderness acres, including a new wilderness area in Wild River; and limited expansion of trails and recreation facilities with better monitoring of recreation uses and effects. Summer motorized off-road vehicle use would not be authorized. The public comment period for the four alternatives and the draft Forest Plan is open until Dec. 17.