GRAZING. 45 



what is meant by "prior use" or "regular occupancy." So far as is consist- 

 ent with other conditions, preference will be given to those who have continu- 

 ously used the range for the longest period. 



Ranch property must be owned. 



A person can not qualify as a permittee through the leasing of land or ranch 

 property only. Actual owners of ranch property used in connection with the 

 permitted stock will be recognized as qualified to share in the use of the Forest 

 ranges on the basis of prior use. 



New settlers. 



New settlers upon unimproved lauds in either Government or private owner- 

 ship may be granted temporary grazing privileges, which will be contingent 

 upon continued residence upon the lauds, their improvement, and compliance 

 with the United States land laws or contract agreements, and will not become 

 permanent until after three years' use of the range. They may, in the discretion 

 of the supervisor, be limited in their initial use of the range to not more than 

 one-half of the number of stock allowed to established bone fide Class A new 

 applicants, with the understanding that they will receive annual increases 

 which, at the end of the three-year temporary period, will allow them to graze 

 the same number of stork as other Class A new applicants. Subsequent to the 

 expiration of the three-year temporary period their status will be the saineas 

 that of other Class A new applicants. 



Cooperative associations. 



A cooperative association is an organization formed for purposes of eco- 

 nomical management of stock upon the range, wherein the stock of the different 

 owners are run together under a joint management, although each member 

 retains absolute personal title and right of possession to the stock grazed in his 

 name, enjoys actual personal use of the range to the full extent of his permit, 

 and acknowledges personal responsibility for the proper management of his 

 stock within the Forest. Each member of such a cooperative association must 

 make individual application for the number of stock for which he desires 

 permit. The approval of the application will be based upon the individual 

 qualifications of the applicant. In no case will the total number of stock grazed 

 under permit by all members of a cooperative association be allowed to exceed 

 the maximum limit established for the Forest. 



Use of common brand or mark. 



The use of a common mark or brand and the distribution of profits, losses, 

 and running expenses on a pro rata basis will not be considered objectionable 

 if conclusive proof is submitted to show that no part of the benefits derived 

 from grazing each specific number of stock upon the National Forest range is to 

 be shared by others than the permittee. 



Firm, partnership, copartnership. 



A firm or copartnership must be in either Class B or Class C. It can estab- 

 lish a grazing preference in two ways : By use and occupancy of the lands in- 

 cluded within the Forest prior to its creation, and by the purchase of the stock 

 or ranches, or both, of a permittee under conditions justifying a renewal of the 

 permit. 



Corporation. 



A corporation can not be given the same consideration as an individual 

 owner; it must be in Class B or Class C. Between two corporations, one com- 

 posed of local residents and the other of nonresidents, preference will be given 

 the local corporation. In no case will preference be given a corporation over 

 private individual owners, whether the members of the corporation reside near 

 the Forest or not. 



Partnerships or corporations as new applicants. 



Grazing permits will not be issued to new firms or corporations when the 

 members or stockholders of such firms or corporations hold permits to graze 

 numbers of stock which, combined, exceed the maximum limit established for 

 the Forest. The consolidation of permits will not be allowed when the com- 

 bined number of stock is more than the maximum limit. 



