Residents, farm groups and commissioners debate Senate Bill 399 and proposed transmission route through Garrett County wildlands

Public comment at a Garrett County Board of Commissioners meeting focused on Senate Bill 399, a measure that would grant exceptions to current protections for designated wildland areas to allow overhead transmission lines.

The issue drew multiple residents and farm leaders who urged the commissioners to oppose the bill or press for more public disclosure. "There was no open or transparent knowledge that you all had at all," said John Bambakis of Brentsville, who asked the board to take a position against the bill. "I think it could cause a lot of problems."

Why this matters: Speakers reported the project could affect roughly 35 miles of corridor, with about 21 miles on public land and substantial mileage crossing farmland and conservation easements. Commenters said…