Consumers Energy's Hunting Policy Protects Safety of Workers, Neighbors Along 98,000 Miles of Rights of Way

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Sep 05, 2014, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., Sept. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As small- and big-game hunting seasons get underway in Michigan, Consumers Energy is reminding everyone that hunting is not allowed on its property.

"We are asking Michigan sportsmen and sportswomen to remember that Consumers Energy property is private land, not public property," said Mike Williams, Consumers Energy's director of corporate security. "We appreciate the vast majority of hunters who follow the law and do not trespass, and we ask everyone to help keep this a safe hunting season in our Great Lakes State."

The ban protects the safety of neighbors, the company's employees and others. It also addresses the concerns of neighboring landowners that irresponsible hunters will use Consumers Energy property to trespass.

Anyone observing hunting or gunshot vandalism on company-owned land is asked to contact local law enforcement or Consumers Energy's corporate security office at 1-800-760-3295. Consumers Energy offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who damage company equipment or property.

Consumers Energy is one of the largest private landowners in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The company owns more than 12,000 miles of electric and natural gas rights of way, and maintains easement rights on another 86,000 miles of rights of way.

Special provisions apply to Consumers Energy-owned lands bordering its AuSable, Manistee and Muskegon river hydroelectric plant reservoirs, where hunting is allowed. However, constructing blinds, target shooting, baiting, burning and fire pits are strictly prohibited on all Consumers Energy lands. The cost of removing blinds is charged to the blinds' owners.

Dirt bikes, ATVs and other off-road vehicles may not be operated on any company property.

A brochure, "A Guide to Consumers Energy Land: To Our Michigan Neighbors," provides information for landowners, developers and others on use of Consumers Energy property.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.5 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

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BROCHURE: Link to "A Guide to Consumers Energy Land: To Our Michigan Neighbors" here: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/uploadedFiles/CEWEB/SHARED/Guide-to-Consumers-Land.pdf

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConsumersEnergyMichigan and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ConsumersEnergy.

SOURCE Consumers Energy