Consumers Energy Reminds Hunters That Utility Land Is Private Property
September 21 2005 - 7:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
JACKSON, Mich., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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 hunters 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." 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, target shooting, baiting,
burning and fire pits are strictly prohibited on all Consumers
Energy lands. In addition, use of dirt bikes, ATVs or other off-
road vehicles are 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. Anyone observing hunting on utility land is
asked to contact their local law enforcement agency, or Consumers
Energy's asset protection office at 1-800-760-3295. Consumers
Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural
gas and electricity to more than six million of the state's 10
million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. For more
information about Consumers Energy, visit our Website at
http://www.consumersenergy.com/ DATASOURCE: Consumers Energy
CONTACT: Media relations contact: Jeff Holyfield, +1-517-788-2394,
or Dan Bishop, +1-517-788-2395, both of Consumers Energy Web site:
http://www.consumersenergy.com/ Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/203850.html
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