Consumers Energy Reminds Hunters That Utility Land Is Private Property
04 September 2009 - 12:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
JACKSON, Mich., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- With hunting season gearing
up in Michigan, Consumers Energy is reminding people that hunting
is not allowed on the utility's property. The ban protects the
safety of neighbors, utility workers and others. It also addresses
the concerns of neighboring landowners that irresponsible hunters
will use Consumers Energy property to trespass. "We are asking
Michigan hunters, sportsmen and sportswomen to remember that
Consumers Energy property is private land, not public property,"
said James Feahr, Consumers Energy's land management field
representative. "Responsible hunters do not hunt on the private
property of others. We ask that Consumers Energy land be treated
the same as other private property, and we appreciate the vast
majority of hunters who follow the law and do not trespass." Anyone
observing hunting on utility land is asked to contact their local
law enforcement agency, or Consumers Energy's corporate security
office at 1-800-760-3295. In particular, Feahr noted increasing
problems with people building deer blinds and placing bait piles on
Consumers Energy land. Blinds reported to or discovered by utility
field representatives are "red tagged" and are subject to
demolition and removal within seven days. Cost of removal is
charged to the owner of the blind when ownership can be determined.
Last year about 40 trespassing blinds were tagged across the state.
Consumers Energy does not rent land for hunting purposes, or
provide verbal or written permission to do so. Consumers Energy
offers cash rewards of varying amounts for information leading to
the arrest and arraignment of those who damage or destroy company
equipment or property with gunshots. Information about gunshot
vandalism can also be given to local law enforcement agencies or
the utility's corporate security department at 1-800-760-3295.
Special hunting provisions apply to Consumers Energy-owned lands
bordering its AuSable, Manistee and Muskegon river hydroelectric
plant reservoirs, where hunting is permitted. However, construction
of hunting blinds and target shooting, baiting, burning and fire
pits are strictly prohibited on all Consumers Energy lands. In
addition, the use of dirt bikes, ATVs or other off-road vehicles is
not allowed on utility property due to resource damage, the
potential danger to drivers and passengers and possible damage to
utility equipment. Consumers Energy is one of the largest private
landowners in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The utility owns more
than 12,000 miles of electric and natural gas rights-of-way, and
maintains easement rights on another 86,000 miles of natural gas
and electric rights-of-way. A Consumers Energy brochure, "A Guide
to Consumers Energy Land: To Our Michigan Neighbors," provides
information for landowners, developers and others on use of utility
property. The brochure covers how to secure and use easements,
leases and licenses on Consumers Energy property, and information
on who to contact before digging on utility land. A copy of the
brochure is available on the utility's website at:
http://www.consumersenergy.com/, and then typing, "guide to
Consumers Energy land" in the search function. Consumers Energy,
the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and
electricity to nearly 6.5 million of Michigan's 10 million
residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. DATASOURCE: Consumers
Energy CONTACT: Media relations: Jeff Holyfield, +1-517-788-2394;
Dan Bishop, +1-517-788-2395, both of Consumers Energy Web Site:
http://www.consumersenergy.com/
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