Clinton residents John and Marilyn Diamond use the land, which runs alongside the Great Salt Lake west of Syracuse, to raise alfalfa.

They also plan to operate a pheasant-hunting business between Sept. 1 and March 31.

"This is probably the highest and best use for this land. It has a high water table and is within the flood zone of the Great Salt Lake," said DeeEll Fifield, community-development planner for Davis County.

Such a designation limits encroaching development and sets the area aside as open space.

"It's with trepidation and sadness that we watch our agricultural land disappear piece by piece," said Commissioner Louenda Downs as she praised the Diamonds for "sticking with the land."

About 16 years ago, the couple bought the land "with the idea it would never be developed," John Diamond told commissioners Tuesday.

"We see every kind of wildlife imaginable there" - eagles, hawks, owls, ducks, geese, deer, and more, Diamond said in a phone interview. "We're happy they decided to protect it."

cmckitrick@sltrib.com