Applications for coal option contracts or coal mining leases shall be filed with the department in Olympia, Washington on forms provided by the department. An applicant may file more than one application and acquire more than one option contract or mining lease. Each application for a coal option contract or a coal mining lease shall be accompanied by a fee of one dollar per acre for the lands applied for but in no case less than fifty dollars. Fees shall be based upon acreages as determined by the department.