Any 25 or more owners of land lying within the limits of the territory proposed to be organized into a district who own at least 10% of the land, by area, within such proposed district may file a petition with the Department asking that a soil and water conservation district be organized in the territory described in the petition. Such petition shall set forth:
         (1) The proposed name of said district;
         (2) That there is a need, in the interest of the
    
public health, safety, and welfare, for a soil and water conservation district to function in the territory described in the petition;
        (3) A reasonably accurate description of the
    
territory proposed to be organized as a district.
        (4) A request that the Department duly define the
    
boundaries for such district; that a referendum be held within the territory so defined on the question of the creation of a soil and water conservation district in such territory; and that the Department determine that such a district be created.
    Where more than one petition is filed covering the same or parts of the same territory, the Department may consolidate all or any of such petitions.