Shenandoah National Park will perform an aerial limestone application to mitigate acidity in Meadow Run from February 2 to February 28, 2026. Intermittent closures will occur along Skyline Drive, and the Rip Rap–Wildcat backcountry area will be closed entirely. This project addresses Meadow Run’s impaired status under the Clean Water Act due to excessive acidity harming ecosystems. Funded by legal settlements, the project aims to restore soil and water chemistry.
Limestone will be applied by helicopter to avoid ground disturbance and reduce safety risks associated with manual transportation. While instream liming offers short-term water quality improvements, terrestrial liming provides longer-lasting benefits. The treatment is scheduled for winter to minimize impacts on wildlife and vegetation.
Following treatment, ecosystem benefits are expected to last a century, with the park able to petition for Meadow Run’s removal from the impaired waters list once pH levels improve. Overall, the project follows extensive public input and environmental assessments.
Source link
