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.