WAC 332-20-180. Preference grazing permits

A preference establishes eligibility to persons for grazing permits on state range allotments. A permit authorizes the grazing of livestock under specific conditions and expires on a specified date. A preference continues until cancelled or revoked. Preference permits are issued under the following conditions: (1) A person may acquire such permit by authorized prior use, gift, or by transfer through purchase or inheritance of base ranch property or livestock; (2) The ownership or control of base ranch property must be maintained; (3) A permittee must be the owner of the livestock placed on state ranges under his permit. Cattle must carry the brand of the person holding the preference permit; (4) Preference permits may not be assigned or used by any person other than the permittee except by prior written consent of the department; (5) No person shall hold a preference permit authorizing grazing in excess of 600 animal units; (6) Preference permits may be granted to the holders of temporary permits only after such temporary permits have been held for a minimum period of five years; (7) Nonuse of preference permits not in excess of three years for any seven-year period is permissible, provided approval of the department is first obtained and prescribed nonuse fees are paid; and (8) Demits may be allowed provided approval of the department is first obtained and demit fees are paid.