The state's lone fund devoted to the purchase and preservation of critical lands has been drained by years of budget cuts. And Initiative 1, which would have created a $150 million trust for open space, was drubbed at the polls last November.

But things may finally be looking up, albeit incrementally.

"We're hopeful," said Larisa Barry, spokeswoman for the Nature Conservancy.

Gov. John Huntsman Jr. has asked lawmakers to provide a substantial boost to the LeRay McAllister open-space fund, and will likely get at least a portion of his request, thanks to the recent boost in state tax revenue projections. In addition, a bill that would allow small counties to create a sales tax option for open-space purchases is moving through the Legislature, as is another bill that would create funding to monitor the state's various conservation easements.

"The climate for what we're trying to do seems better than it was a year ago," said Dan Lofgren, chairman of the state's Quality Growth Commission. "Things seem to be running in favor of doing something for the McAllister Fund. The governor has been very supportive and there appears to be a deeper understanding of critical lands conservation [among legislators]."

Huntsman initially requested $5 million for the McAllister Fund - it currently holds less than $800,000 - and Republican lawmakers have offered a one-time allocation of $3 million. No ongoing funds have materialized, but that's not to say they won't.

"I think they're respectful of the governor's viewpoint. They know this is a priority for him," said Jason Chaffetz, Huntsman's chief of staff.

But House Minority Leader Ralph Becker, perhaps the biggest proponent of open space on Capitol Hill, calls the $3 million McAllister Fund allocation chicken feed in the wake of the $122 million in extra tax revenue the state is going to receive - much of which has been targeted for roads.

"The numbers speak for themselves," said Becker.

He also noted that state money for trails and riverways were "completely eliminated" in the original budget.

jbaird@sltrib.com