(1) When the department decides to lease any state lands at public auction it is the duty of the department to fix the date, place, and time when such lands shall be offered for lease.
(2) The auction must be conducted between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
(3) The auction must take place:
(a) At the department's regional office administering the lease; or
(b) When leases are auctioned by the county auditor, in the county where the state land to be leased is situated at such place as specified in the notice.