HB 52-TUTKA BAY HATCHERY  10:04:36 AM CHAIR TARR announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 52, "An Act providing that operation of the Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery in Kachemak Bay is compatible with the functions of Kachemak Bay State Park; and providing for an effective date." [Before the committee, adopted as a working document on 4/29/21, was the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 52, Version 32-LS0327\I, Bullard, 4/29/21 ("Version I").] CHAIR TARR announced that the committee would hear public testimony on HB 52, which had been opened on 4/29/21. 10:05:03 AM JEFFREY LEE, Member, Kachemak Bay Advisory Board, said the Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery in Kachemak Bay has been highly controversial. The current plan has undergone extensive public review; it happens every 25-30 years and is a two-year process. He indicated that [current review] has been going on for six years and has led to the conclusion that phasing out the hatchery is a good choice. He warned against degrading the public process and urged the committee to take no action on HB 52 until the advisory board can review the proposed legislation. 10:07:20 AM ROBERTA HIGHLAND testified in opposition to HB 52. She said the process has been rushed. She mentioned a management plan with a ten-year timeframe. She said the proposed legislation "could set a precedence for other parks where there's a conflict of the uses." She spoke of negative environmental impacts. She indicated there was an increase in pink salmon in the hatchery, which has led to problems, such as "dumping of the carcasses," and that has led to a lawsuit. Further, placing pens in the bay itself would increase boat traffic into "the heart of the park." She requested the issue be given time, especially in terms of land swapping, which has not had public review. She asked the committee not to pass HB 52. 10:09:51 AM BRENT JOHNSON, Past-President, Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association, said all the hatcheries work together to fund the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association to release fish that are important to those who fish. He said he favors studies, and he does not think there have been studies that prove that hatcheries are detrimental to the environment. He said he is eager for those studies to take place. He opined that the Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery is important to the Homer economy and Cook Inlet seiners. 10:10:52 AM CHAIR TARR, after ascertaining there was no one else who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 52. 10:11:24 AM REPRESENTATIVE VANCE, as prime sponsor, noted wide-range support from the Kenai Peninsula to Kodiak. She stated her intent to include further discussion related to the idea of the land swap, which was introduced last week. She spoke of separating "the hatchery issue" and "the land issue." 10:12:16 AM CHAIR TARR announced that HB 52 was held over.