(a) Prior to undertaking any operation authorized by the license, the licensee shall file with the department and cause to be published a notice of intention. The licensee shall then confine his activities for that operation substantially within the time and area limits set forth in the notice of intention.

(b) The notice of intention shall set forth all of the following:

(c) The licensee shall cause the notice of intention to be published once a week for three successive weeks in a newspaper having a general circulation and published within any county wherein the operation is to be conducted and in which the affected area is located, or, if the operation is to be conducted in more than one county or if the affected area is located in more than one county or is located in a county other than the one in which the operation is to be conducted, then such notice shall be published in like manner in a newspaper having a general circulation and published within each of such counties. In case there is no newspaper published within the appropriate county, publication shall be made in a newspaper having a general circulation within the county.

(d) Proof of publication shall be filed by the licensee with the department within fifteen days from the date of the last publication of the notice. Proof of publication shall be by copy of the notice as published attached to and made a part of the affidavit of the publisher or foreman of the newspaper publishing the notice.