JACKSON, Mich., Sept. 5 /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.
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.
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: http://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 of Michigan's 10 million
residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
SOURCE Consumers Energy
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Related links:
http://www.consumersenergy.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/203850.html /
CONTACT:
Jeff Holyfield, +1-517-788-2394, or Dan
Bishop, +1-517-788-2395, both for Consumers Energy
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