1. On receipt of a petition for the formation of a district the department shall make such preliminary investigation of the proposed district as it may find to be suitable and prepare a report thereon. Such report shall describe tentative boundaries for the district, shall contain a preliminary discussion of the present conditions, possible measures of relief, approximate cost of necessary drainage works, possible benefits and advantages therefrom, shall give an estimate of the cost of the surveys and all proceedings necessary for and including final fixation of boundaries of the district and shall set forth the recommendations of the department with regard to the formation of the proposed district.

2. Such report shall be filed and notice of such filing and of a hearing thereon given. Such notice, among other things, shall state the estimated cost of the surveys and all proceedings necessary for and including final fixation of boundaries of the district and that, should such proceedings be fully or partially completed, such cost will be assessed in one year upon the lands in the district at a uniform amount per acre of such lands.