The Clarke County Board of Supervisors has unanimously voted to formally oppose the proposed Valley North Transmission Line Project.

The project calls for a roughly 260-mile, 765-kilovolt transmission line running from Putnam County, West Virginia, to Frederick, Maryland.

Three of the four proposed routes leaving Frederick County, Virginia, would cross properties in Clarke County.

The project would require an estimated 200-foot-wide rightof-way, with transmission towers standing between 150 and 170 feet tall.

County officials say the electricity would primarily serve areas east of Clarke County.

The Board of Supervisors joins several other county groups in opposing the project.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recently passed a resolution against a route through Chet Hobert Park.

The Planning Commission also opposed the proposed routes, citing conflicts with the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

The Conservation Easement Authority has raised concerns about impacts to protected properties.

The Board’s resolution cites potential effects on conservation easements, agricultural and forestal districts, rural historic districts, prime farmland, county parkland and groundwater resources.

Supervisors also expressed concerns about the project’s potential impact on Clarke County’s rural character, agricultural industry and preserved woodlands.

As part of its opposition, the Board unanimously approved a $500,000 legal contingency fund and authorized the county administrator and county attorney to hire outside legal counsel to challenge the project.

State lawmakers, including Delegates Delores Oates and Bill Wiley and Senator Timmy French, have also publicly opposed the proposed transmission line.

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