The commission may close for the taking of clams not less than eight land miles of pismo clam bearing beaches within San Luis Obispo County as a clam refuge, but not more than 50 percent of any individual pismo clam bearing beach or beaches may be so closed at any time. The commission may from time to time vary the location of the closed and open portions of those beaches.
Before the commission closes, opens, or varies the location of the closed and open portions of pismo clam bearing beaches, one or more members of the commission shall hold in the county to be affected a public hearing, notice of which has been published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation, printed, and published in that county. The commission may determine which newspaper will be most likely to give notice to the inhabitants of the county, and its determination shall be final and conclusive. The commission may authorize any employee of the department in its place to hold the hearings, in which event a copy of a transcript of all proceedings taken or had at the hearing shall be furnished to each commissioner at least five days before any regulation is made by the commission.