South Carolina Buys Sassafras Summit

Many thanks to Mike Burton for passing this along from the Carolina Channel. This is discussed in the forum.

The state now owns South Carolina’s highest peak. The Natural Resources Department has bought two acres at the top of Sassafras Mountain from Duke Energy for $50,000 earlier this month. The sale guarantees public access to the 3,560-foot peak in northern Pickens County.

Natural Resources Department director John Frampton said he’s glad the state has been able to protect the site.
All the South Carolina land next to Sassafras’ peak was protected seven years ago in the landmark Jocassee Gorges agreement that protected 32,000 acres. But the top of Sassafras was left out of the $21 million deal. Utility officials said the peak was not included because of surveying questions that have since been cleared up.