A state fund that local land conservation officials say could be used to preserve land in Beaufort County could go unfunded for another year.

Marvin Davant, executive director of the state Conservation Bank, said he's worried a state House bill aimed at delaying funding for the program until July 1, 2005, could make it through the General Assembly this year.

The bank was created by the state General Assembly in 2002 to make money available, beginning this year, to purchase land or conservation easements.

Dean Moss, president of the board of directors for the Beaufort County Open Land Trust, said the money could be used to acquire property in the county.

"If the money were available, then definitely it would be a potential source of funds for the trust," Moss said.

The bank would award grants on a competitive basis to state agencies, municipal governments, nonprofit land trusts and other qualified groups. Money could be used on land with significant natural resources, wetlands, historical properties and archaeological sites.

State Rep. William Witherspoon, R-Horry County, said he was sponsoring the bill to delay funding because the state's budget problems don't leave money for this bank.

"I sure can't see spending money and buying property ... when we're in such a budget crunch," Witherspoon said.

Two Beaufort County lawmakers support the bank, however.

State Sen. Scott Richardson, R-Hilton Head Island, said he would fight against the bill.

"It's just ridiculous. I'm not going to let them do that. That thing needs to be funded," he said. "I don't want to see every nook and cranny of this state developed."

State Rep. Bill Herbkersman, R-Bluffton, said if the money were put into the fund starting this year it could stretch further because real estate costs could be lower in this bad economy.

Gov. Mark Sanford said in a news conference to unveil his budget Thursday that $10 million should be appropriated for the bank.

"Once that land is gone, it is gone forever," Sanford said.

The governor added that the coastal areas are particularly important to protect because of the steady increase in residents.

According to the legislation creating the bank, beginning July 1, 2004, a portion of the state's real estate transfer fee would be used to purchase land or conservation easements from willing sellers. There is a $1.30 charge for every $1,000 real estate value in a transfer. The money for the bank would come from 25 cents of every $1.30 spent on the state deed stamp recording fee.

Davant estimates that source would bring in about $10 million to the fund each year.

He hopes once money comes into the fund, he could put some to use as matching funds for grant money to make even more money available for land preservation.

"It could have an incredible effect," Davant said.