R657-28-7. Grazing of Domestic Livestock on Division Lands -- Grazing Permits -- Option to Renew

(1) Permits shall be issued for a term no greater than one year.

(2) Permittees who receive a satisfactory review for the previous year may have the option to renew the permit for the coming year provided the division determines continued livestock grazing is necessary to maintain or improve wildlife habitat; except the division may at its discretion:

(a) Alter the provisions of the permit contract describing key forage species, timing, intensity, location, and duration of domestic livestock grazing if the division determines that such alteration will better achieve its vegetation management goals;

(b) Identify a different in-kind compensation on division property that is reasonably comparable in value to the in-kind compensation of the original grazing permit.

(i) the division may negotiate the terms of the new in-kind compensation, and total compensation due the division without opening the permit to competitive bidding.

(c) Withdraw the subject property from domestic livestock grazing for any reason whatsoever.

(3) Should the terms of the original grazing permit be changed by the division, the permittee shall have the option to renew the permit.

(4) A permittee may hold a grazing permit on a subject division property for a maximum period of ten years through the exercising of an option to renew; except the division may put the permit out to competitive proposal solicitation at the conclusion of the fifth year;

(5) The permittee having the grazing permit for the preceding ten years on a subject division property is entitled to submit a proposal for grazing the same division property if the permittee has not been disqualified from consideration as a permittee on division lands.

(6) The division reserves the right to issue grazing permits without options to renew, or with options to renew for a shorter aggregate term.