The Department may establish size limits and open and close areas for harvesting of surf clams. The Department shall publish a notice of its proposal to open or close an area or change size limits at least 30 days before the effective date of the proposal and shall hold a public hearing on the proposal at least 15 days before the effective date unless a public hearing on a substantially similar proposal has been conducted in the State by a federal management authority with notice advertised by the Department as required by this section. The notice shall include the time and place of any hearing and shall be published in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the State and at least one newspaper of general circulation in Worcester County.