Driving on power line service trails

mrmoerder · #1 01-01-2015, 09:07 PM

Is it illegal to drive on those paths around power lines? I live in rural pa where the only true police most of the time are staties over a half hour away. Think any one would care?

ranger_ferd · #2 01-01-2015, 09:14 PM

We do it all the time up here

cowboybilly9mile · #3 01-01-2015, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmoerder

Is it illegal to drive on those paths around power lines? I live in rural pa where the only true police most of the time are staties over a half hour away. Think any one would care?

If it's not state land, a national forest or other type of public land, then typically it's private property (meaning, a private party or a business) with a recorded easement on it that is usually for the exclusive use only by the power company and their agents/subcontractors, etc and not the public. Sometimes the land is actually power company owned land and they don't care if the public uses it. In the name of being a responsible citizen, you should check into it before visiting. The states do vary, in my neck of the woods criminal convictions for trespassing may cause problems when it comes time to buy a hunting license.

In some states it's a property owners responsibility to post no trespassing signs to inform wanna be visitors. The alternative is how it is in the state in which I reside, where it is the responsibility of a person to know where they are at at all times. I catch a trespasser roaming around on the shared easement leading to my land, and I tell them to leave. They tell me there are no signs, I coach then on state law. They know they got caught, and they leave quietly. I paid a lot of money for my land, my improvements and I pay taxes, and I bought it because I don't want strangers coming around. My neighbors feel the same way.

After learning this and knowing that trespassers litter and cause problems, would you like someone trespassing and disrespecting something that you worked hard to buy? How you feel about it doesn't matter, it's how the property owner feels about it and the state laws that answer this one.

ranger_ferd · #4 01-01-2015, 10:38 PM

We actually explored a part of the trail we never have before and ran across an owner setting up his deer blind, he actually shook our hands for not tearing shit up like most ******* kids, and told us as long as it ain't deer season, you're welcome anytime, this is where the phrase tread lightly comes into play

johnday · #5 01-02-2015, 04:37 AM

You better have Consumers Power on the side of your truck if you're on the powerline on my property. Or you're tracking a wounded deer. Yes, northern Michigan
Like cowboybilly said, I busted my ass to get what I got, and wouldn't appreciate strangers just helping themselves.
Best bet is to ask surrounding landowners who owns said easement. I own the property the easement passes through, the power company could care less.

cowboybilly9mile · #6 01-02-2015, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnday

You better have Consumers Power on the side of your truck if you're on the powerline on my property. Or you're tracking a wounded deer. Yes, northern Michigan
Like cowboybilly said, I busted my ass to get what I got, and wouldn't appreciate strangers just helping themselves.
Best bet is to ask surrounding landowners who owns said easement. I own the property the easement passes through, the power company could care less.

Yes. People who simply help themselves to what another man has worked hard to acquire and paid for, and without asking permission to use it are nothing more than a common thief.

Somehow, I bet OP and any clueless children that read these posts made by actual landowners feel what they think is *hate* and selfishness of another is being cast upon them and get very quiet. Or defensive. Suggestion: if a person doesn't own something, it's not theirs to use without permission, show respect for other peoples property as you want them to respect yours. You might be surprised how many people will let you use their land.......if you first ask permission.

johnday · #7 01-02-2015, 07:30 PM

^X2, thanks Bill.

Skylark65 · #8 01-02-2015, 08:01 PM

it's basically illegal everywhere, but some areas are more forgiving than others. I was lucky enough to spend a summer working with a crew maintaining gas pipeline right of ways, which meant I was allowed to take my ranger down many different trails throughout northern NJ. some areas, like up in Sussex county on an old railroad bed, were fairly established ATV, hiking & horseback trails (but were still illegal for regular 4x4 vehicles) while others, like some areas down around Clinton NJ, were actually patrolled on a daily basis and anyone found on them would be fined & even face possible jail time for trespassing.

in many areas I've been private landowners have almost zero control over a utility right of way running through their property (other than being able to notify police or the utility company about trespassers) but as soon as you cross the edge of the right of way you become liable to face any charges they may through at you. and it's easier to get caught than most people think... especially when landowners get tired of having their property destroyed.

sgtsandman · #9 01-02-2015, 09:24 PM

Not all land owners are like this but property rights still reign supreme and depending on the land owner, you could get shot at as a minimum. I would strongly suggest you find out who owns the property and clear it with them, if it's possible.

Think of it this way, a person who shows up and asks for permission is going to get a heck of a lot more leeway than someone who the owners stumbles across being there uninvited.

rachit · #10 01-11-2015, 08:39 PM

Go to the west where open space is a way of life. You don't have to go far to find spots to wheel/ride safely and legally. Sure there's maybe the odd logging road in the east or whatever but out here there's places you can go for days without hitting pavement.