This is a letter sent recently to the P.E.I. government (premier and minister) with regard to the proposal to allow ATVs access to the Confederation Trail.
It reads: The P.E.I. government is to be commended on its forwardlooking environmental policies. Alone and in collaboration with other groups, the government has supported initiatives including robust initiatives to get people off fossil fuels, increasing reduced emission targets, protecting key natural areas and much more. The Island is becoming recognized elsewhere in Canada as a leader in this area and Islanders are understandably proud. Recently, your government announced new charging stations across the Island to encourage electric car use, both supporting Islanders in purchasing electric cars and to help tourists with electric cars to be able to visit here.
The Confederation Trail is a wonderful example of how the Island balances tourism and enjoying the outdoors with family-friendly activities – hiking, biking, running and just strolling – that are kind to the environment.
I think, however, that encouraging ATV use and tourism – with their big motors, noise and damage caused by off-road use – is not consistent with P.E.I.’s push for environmental protection and reduced emissions. And while I understand that there are electric ATVs coming onto the market and many ATV owners are responsible, sticking to trails and their own property, many are not. In cycling the Confederation Trail, I have seen where ATVs have been using the trail and then made a track around the gate to avoid it to continue along the trial, ripping up plants, small trees and churning up mud. We have all seen ATV tracks across sensitive north shore dunes, so no need to highlight this as an example of the problem with their use here. Safety is also a significant issue for people, especially children, dogs and seniors being particularly vulnerable to ATVs crossing the trial at speed.
So, while I am sympathetic to the pressure the government is receiving from responsible ATV owners, there are many good reasons to decline this request for clear environmental and policy reasons. Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Theresa Redmond, Corraville
