ATV Federation builds bridge over troubled waterway

Chainsaws slice through planks and four-by-four posts as members of the P.E.I. ATVFederation try to prevent further destructionto a watercourse damaged by off-road vehicles earlier this year.

Almost two kilometres from the nearest road, about 20 volunteers were buildinga bridge acrossa tributary of the West River in BrookvaleonSaturday morning.

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It's the same spot where two womendrove through with two all-wheel drive Jeepsin Julyand were fined for violating the Environmental Protection Act.

Wade MacKinnon with the P.E.I. Department of Justice and Public Safety said some of the damage in that area was also caused by ATVs.

Preventing environmental damage

President of the P.E.I.ATVFederation, Peter Mellish, saidhe's trying to keepthat from happening again.

"As ATV drivers we want to be good stewards of the land so we took it upon ourselves, the problem that was here," he said.

In order to do that, volunteers are buildinga bridge almost 20 meters long and 2.5 meters wide that will cross above the watercourse.

"This will give us permanent access to the area without going near the watercourse, and letting the stream do what it needs to do," said Mellish.

Creating a private trail system

They've had to haul about 150 pieces of lumber, telephone polls, nails and building equipment through the woods in order to build the bridge.

"It's quite a task, we had to be well organized. It took us probably about 120 hours so far just to get to this point," said Mellish.

The Federation has been working with local watershed groups to createa private trail system across the Island.

Mellish said this project alone has cost around $3,000. Part of the funding was granted by theCanadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council, with the rest being raised by the Federation.

Trying to grow the industry

Building this bridge is part of an effort to bridge the gap between concerned landowners and ATVdrivers.

"We're trying to do this professionally, so that's it's long-term and sustainable so we can grow the industry," Mellish said.

The project is expected to be finishedby the end of Saturday, but the group plans to return in the spring toplace more rocks around the bridge andplant grass seed.

Mellish said he hopes to be the first one to drive across.

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