(1) A district may be established by filing a petition, signed by 10 or more owners of forest land who control a total combined acreage of not less than 50,000 acres lying within the limits of the gross territorial boundary proposed to be organized into a district, with the department asking that a district be organized in the territory described in the petition. The petition shall state all of the following:

    (a) The proposed name of the district.

    (b) A legal description of the forest land proposed to be organized as the district, including the proposed gross territorial boundary of the district.

    (c) A tentative implementation schedule for the forest practices functions and services the district will perform.

    (d) An analysis that demonstrates the economic and administrative feasibility of a district within the defined boundaries.

    (e) A request that the boundaries for the district be established.

    (2) If more than 1 petition is filed covering parts of the same territory, the department shall determine which of the districts shall encompass that territory.