Listed in critical condition just a couple of years ago, the state's only fund dedicated to the preservation of open space continued a quiet, but rather remarkable comeback on Monday.

With bipartisan support and buoyed by a huge budget surplus, a legislative subcommittee approved a $6 million appropriation for the LeRay McAllister Fund. That is essentially double what the fund received last year, and represents a quantum increase over 2003 and 2004, when the fund totaled less than $500,000 annually after a series of budget cuts. Some lawmakers talked of scuttling it altogether.

This year's appropriation includes a one-time stipend of $5 million and another $1 million in ongoing funding.

"It's nice to hear acknowledgement of the value of the work we've done. Even more reinforcing is the fact that they did it with more money," said Dan Lofgren, chairman of the Quality Growth Commission, which administers the fund.

Named for former Utah County legislator LeRay McAllister, who died last year, the open space fund provides matching money that communities can tap to purchase conservation easements for critical lands that might otherwise be developed, as well as restoration projects.

Monday's funding request, carried by Sen. Pete Knudsen, R-Brigham City, goes beyond the $2.5 million in one-time money Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. requested this year.

The measure, put before the Capital Facilities and Administrative Services Appropriations Subcommittee, drew concerns from some lawmakers - such as West Jordan Republican House member Wayne Harper - who questioned the state's role in helping purchase private land.

"I don't want this to become the most publicly owned land state in the nation," Harper said.

But Rep. Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake City, pointed out that Utah's open space preservation efforts pale next to surrounding states. Nevada residents passed a $200 million bond two years ago for open space. Utah voters rejected a similar, if more modest ballot measure last year.

jbaird@sltrib.com

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