11/30/09

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Boise's sour real estate market may be good
news for activists eager to preserve open space in the city's
foothills.

Suki Molina, vice chairwoman of the Foothills Conservation
Advisory Committee says the poor economy has stalled many big
housing development plans for the Boise Foothills.

And she tells the Idaho Statesman there are more landowners
willing to sell their property.

Voters approved a two-year, $10 million property tax levy in
2001 to raise money to buy land in the foothills. Money has been
used to buy more than 8,000 acres since 2002.

Foothills Open Space Manager Julia Kertz Grant says several
deals that could drain the account are in the works.

The committee's authority is set to expire Monday. The City
Council could decide Tuesday whether to give the committee a
six-month extension.

___

Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com


(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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