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The state Department of Natural Resources recently signed papers that gives it control of almost 1,000 acres surrounding Stumphouse Mountain off of Highway 28 north of Walhalla.

WALHALLA — The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) signed papers this month that officially protects and preserves close to 1,000 acres, including property surrounding the Stumphouse Tunnels and Issaqueena Falls tourist attractions.

A Heritage Preserve Dedication Agreement signed Aug. 8 by state DNR Director John E. Frampton completes a community effort started last year that successfully kept the property being developed privately.

The agreement, along with corresponding real estate transactions, recently were filed with the Oconee County Register of Deeds.

DNR paid $1.5 million to The Nature Conservancy for four parcels totaling 442.1 acres that protects the Walhalla watershed property. Another 511 acres was acquired through donations and grants, including contributions from Oconee County government ($300,000), South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism ($200,000) and more than $1 million in private contributions.

The state’s participation in preserving the Stumphouse Mountain property is made possible through the South Carolina Heritage Trust program, which was established in 1976. The Heritage Preserve Dedication Agreement described the protected property as “a forested, undeveloped mountain area that provides habitat for wildlife and plant species and contains two tunnels that were part of a pre-Civil War project to build a railroad line from Charleston to Knoxville, Tenn.�

The agreement also lists guidelines for the use, enjoyment and protection of the land, including:

• Maintaining the natural character of the property;

• Barring additions and improvements, except those necessary for the security, safety or convenience of the public and to maintain and manage the property;

• Prohibiting the cutting or burning of timber or fauna;

• Allowing for limited hunting in accordance with state laws;

• Preventing the use of signs or billboards;

• Prohibiting exploration or mining; and

• Keeping motorized vehicles out, except for those used by DNR or its agents in managing and protecting the land.

DNR spokesman Mike Willis said Thursday that the Heritage Preserve Agreement offers the highest level of protection to the property under South Carolina law and would safeguard the land for future generations.