Consumers Energy Reminds Hunters That Utility Land is Private 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 askingMichigan 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.

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 inMichigan'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.

Consumers Energy has prepared a brochure, "To Our Michigan Neighbors," which provides guidelines 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: www.consumersenergy.com, and then typing, "land brochure" in the search function.

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to nearly 6.5 million ofMichigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

SOURCE Consumers Energy

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