PRINCE.EDWARD.ISLAND (CBC) - The province of P.E.I. is willing to consider a proposal for an all-terrain vehicle trail, says Tourism Minister Valerie Docherty, but she said there are a number of steps that must be taken.

Docherty and Transportation Minister Ron MacKinley met Thursday with representatives of the P.E.I. ATV association. The group wants to develop a 22-kilometre trail from Tignish to Alberton that would be used for all-terrain vehicles and horses. It would be next to the existing Confederation Trail.

Two public meetings were held this week on the proposal. Groups that work to maintain and patrol Confederation Trail will also be consulted.

"My staff, transportation staff will look at it. We even have to have an environmental assessment done on it," Docherty said.

"We will give it an honest review. I told them I wouldn't give them a definite 'not on your life' without actually taking the time to evaluate it fairly. So it's not a simple matter of government just saying yeah or nay to doing this."

Docherty said the province needs a detailed written proposal.

The cost of the project would have to be borne solely by the ATV association, and Docherty cautioned it would be expensive.

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