ATV federation, trail group digging in on debate about crossings on Confederation Trail

As government looks toallowATVs to cross the Confederation Trail, two differentsides are gearing up to make sure their interests are heard.

Both the P.E.I.ATV Federation and Island Trails are asking people to contactpoliticians to weigh in on whether or not the changes should be made.

The federation wants the government tomake it legal for ATVs to cross theConfederation Trail. The group has beenlobbying the government for the crossings.

It says it is trying to create a province-wide trail system that could be a valuable tourism product, and it needs to be able to cross Confederation Trail to do that.

"We need to be able to link our trail system, and the Confederation Trail is that link that we need to cross," said Peter Mellish, the federation's president.

Bryson Guptill, secretary of Island Trails, said thegroup worries it could be a slippery slope thatcould result in moreATVson the trail, instead of just crossing it.

Proposal just submitted

Mellish said the ideahas just been submitted to governmentwith proposed locations for about 16 crossings.

"We just need to be able to cross it, plain and simple," Mellish said.

Mellish said the ATV group has its own 350-kilometre trail system on private land, so this is not about getting ATVs on the Confederation Trail.

"We don't want to be on it,we don't want to be anymore of a challenge for the bikers and hikers on the Confederation Trail, we haveour own trail system," he said.

Mellish said social media campaigns are underway right now to share information about what the group wants and how the trail crossings will help.

Dangerous idea

"We think the future of the Confedration Trail is all about non-motorized use," said Guptill.

He said when it comes to crossings there may be room for some compromise, but the group wants to see the exact locations where crossings are being proposed.

He said he would like to see legislation strengthened to ensure the trail remains for non-motorized use.

"The government had intended to strengthen the Trails Act back in 2014," he said. "That legislation hasn't been strengthened yet."

Island Trails has met with government and the federation intends to set up a meeting as well.

The federationacknowledgedsome ATVs do drive on the trailillegally now.

"We don't endorse that," Mellish said.

Mellish said controlled crossings would help, and he is also hoping for better licensing, registration and enforcement.

'Make the trails safer'

P.E.I. Transportation Minister Steven Myerssaid government will look to see what's doable and reasonable when it comes to crossings for ATVson the trail.

"This isn't going to be 1,000 crossings, and this isn't going to be ATVs ripping up and down the Confederation Trail," Myers said.

Myers said there will be lots of consultation before any decisions are made.

"We are going to make the trails safer," said Myers.

Myers said better enforcement is on the horizon too, including licensing for ATV drivers to better trackvehicles.

"This is going to be controlled crossings, with strict enforcement."

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