A December 7 Cumberland Times-News article discusses a decision by the Garrett County Commissioners to oppose a proposal on reintroducing the Rocky Mountain elk into Western Maryland.

A potential reintroduction of Rocky Mountain elk into Maryland will be focused on Allegany County now that Garrett County’s board of commissioners has strongly opposed the idea, said Bill Miles of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation on Wednesday.  …

Garrett County Commission Chairman Gregan Crawford minced no words Wednesday in stating the group’s opposition.

“We believe this idea originated down state with a special-interest group,” Crawford said, referring to elk foundation chapters. “We were never included in preliminary talks and we would be the ones that would have to live with the elk. I learned about it by reading the newspaper.  …

David Allen, president and CEO of the Montana-based elk Foundation, said in the original press release, “Far Western Maryland offers ideal habitat for elk…”