A resource assessment permit issued by the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of assessing the viability of a shellfish area shall not authorize more than one hundred acres of assessment area per permit. Said department shall require the placement of buoys at each corner of the assessment area, as defined by the permit applicant, prior to the start of any assessment. Said department shall notify all abutting shellfish ground owners or lease holders of the issuance of such permit not later than five days prior to the effective date of the permit.