7-8-2701. State policy for resource management. It is the policy of the state of Montana:

(1) to promote the conservation of the natural resources of the state;

(2) to provide for the conservation, protection, and development of forage plants and for the beneficial use of forage plants for grazing by livestock, under regulations that may be considered necessary;

(3) to put into crop production only properly fitted lands;

(4) to encourage the storage and conservation of water for livestock and irrigation;

(5) to place the farming and livestock industries upon a permanent and solid foundation;

(6) to extend preference in sales and leases of lands to resident farmers, stockgrowers, and taxpayers; and

(7) to gradually restore to private ownership the immense areas of lands that have passed into county ownership because of tax delinquencies.