If public hearings are required, notice of public hearings before the Oil and Gas Commission as provided for in this subchapter shall be given as follows:
(1) An applicant shall give notice of the public hearing to be held upon an application by one (1) publication at least ten (10) days before the date of the public hearing, but not more than thirty (30) days before the public hearing, in a legal newspaper having a general circulation in the county, or in each county, if there are more than one (1), in which the lands embraced within the application are situated, except that, as to any public hearing pertaining to a matter of general application throughout the State of Arkansas, the notice shall be published in a legal newspaper having statewide circulation; and
(2) The cost of publication shall be paid for by the applicant.