Section 38.05.083 - Aquatic farming and hatchery site leases(a) The commissioner may offer to the public for lease at public auction or by sealed bid under AS 38.05.075 or by negotiation under AS 38.05.070 a site for aquatic farming or related hatchery operations. Before a final decision to issue a lease under this section, the commissioner shall give notice and allow opportunity for comment in accordance with AS 38.05.945 and may hold a hearing to take testimony. Before a final decision to issue a lease under this section, the commissioner shall consider all relevant comment or testimony submitted under this section, AS 38.05.945, or 38.05.946.(b) The commissioner, for good cause, may deny an application for issuance of a lease under this section but shall provide the applicant with written findings that explain the reasons for the denial.(c) A site may be leased under this section for not less than the appraised fair market value of the lease. The value of the lease shall be reappraised every five years.(d) A lease under this section may be assigned, but, if the assignee changes the use of the site, the lease reverts to the state.(e) Before entering into a lease under this section, the commissioner shall require the lessee to post a performance bond or provide other security to cover the costs to the department of restoring the leased site in the event the lessee abandons the site.(f) The commissioner shall adopt regulations establishing criteria for the approval or denial of leases under this section and for limiting the number of sites for which leases may be issued in an area in order to protect the environment and natural resources of the area. The regulations must provide for the consideration of upland management policies and whether the proposed use of a site is compatible with the traditional and existing uses of the area in which the site is located.(g) The commissioner may, under AS 38.05.070 (e) - (g), renew or extend a lease issued under this section.(h) Nothing in this section prohibits a lessee under this section using a site for aquatic farming and related hatchery operations from also using that site for a tourism enterprise or educational purpose relating to aquatic farming or related hatchery operations.(i) Notwithstanding AS 38.05.035 and 38.05.850, if a site leased under this section is actively used for aquatic farming or related hatchery operations, the commissioner may not charge a lessee, sublessee, or other person assigned all or a part of the lease a fee for using or allowing the use of the site, or passage across the site, for a tourism enterprise or educational purpose relating to aquatic farming or related hatchery operations.Amended by SLA 2021, ch. 10,§§sec.4, sec.5 eff. 9/13/2021.Amended by SLA 2021, ch. 10,sec. 3, eff. 9/13/2021.Amended by SLA 2012, ch. 27,sec. 12, eff. 7/1/2012.