Off-road vehicle riders are reminded that they should not trespass by riding on utility line rights-of-way assuming they are public property, and that posted signs about not trespassing on private property should be obeyed, said Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officers.

Due to complaints about trespass on utility line rights-of-way, such as those for electrical service or natural gas pipelines, there is concern that recreational enthusiasts see them as public property. The right-of-way, if on private land, is considered private property, and recreational enthusiasts must have written permission from the property owner to use them whether they are posted as "no trespassing" or not.

If the right-of-way is on public land, ORVs are restricted to designated trails, routes or areas. In the Upper Peninsula, ORVs also can be driven on state forest roads.

"All riders need to be responsible and cognizant of where they are operating their ORV," said Lt. Creig Grey, supervisor of the Marine, ORV and Snowmobile Section of the DNR's Law Enforcement Division. "Operators must have the owner's permission to use a utility line right-of-way. Trespassing is an unfortunate black eye on these activities that can be easily prevented if operators remember that utility line rights-of-way are not public and that restrictions apply."

For more information about ORV use on state land, go to the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr and click on Recreation and Camping.