Associated Press - November 30, 2009 11:24 AM ET

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 2-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

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