The project operator shall cause the notice of intention to be published pursuant to Section 6063 of the Government Code in a newspaper having a general circulation and published within any county wherein the project is to be conducted and in which the affected area is located, or, if the project is to be conducted in more than one county or if the affected area is located in more than one county or is located in a county other than the one in which the operation is to be conducted, then the notice shall be published in like manner in a newspaper having a general circulation and published within each of the counties. In case there is no newspaper published within the appropriate county, publication shall be made in a newspaper having a general circulation within the county. The project operator shall also send the notice of intention to the boards of supervisors of counties to be affected by the project.