FARMINGTON — Davis County Commissioners gave approval Tuesday to a plan to fund restoration of a portion of Kays Creek in Layton.

The approval gives needed support to The Nature Conservancy, which is seeking funds for rehabilitation through the state's LeRay McAllister Critical Land Conservation Fund. Because of record applications to the fund, only one out of four projects will receive dollars, said John Bennett, project manager.

About $3.2 million is available in the fund. Twenty-seven applicants have asked for a combined $12 million from the fund. The Nature Conservancy is seeking $102,605.

"There's clearly a pent-up demand for money from the fund," said Bennett.

Davis Commissioners unanimously voted to support The Nature Conservancy's efforts to apply for dollars. The group has been a "huge partner" for conservation efforts in the county, said Commissioner Carol Page.

Amanda Smith, director of government relations for The Nature Conservancy, said plans to rehabilitate Kays Creek will be a benefit to bird habitat and wetlands near the Great Salt Lake. About one mile will be restored to a "natural meander corridor."

The project's overall cost will be $346,566.

"With the help of many partners, the conservancy hopes to enhance these globally important wetlands and provide critical feeding as well as resting places for hundreds of thousands of migrating birds," reads an executive summary of project plans.

The project's time frame is currently unknown. Other portions of Kays Creek have already been restored. Layton is currently developing a trail system along the 10-mile creek, which flows through The Nature Conservancy's Shorelands Preserve.

Next Thursday, officials overseeing the LeRay McAllister fund will visit Kays Creek and review plans for the restoration project. Questions will be asked as to the "uniqueness" of the project, its cost effectiveness, need for funding and the ability of applicants to quickly proceed with plans for funds.

In general, Bennett said the Kays Creek project seems "worthwhile."

"It's different from what we've done in the past, but personally, some of the most successful projects have been restoration projects," he said. "It certainly sounds, based on what I've read, like it's a worthwhile project."

By the end of September, the Utah Quality Growth Commission — which oversees the LeRay McAllister Fund — hopes to have determined which projects will receive funding.

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