The department of environmental quality shall keep a written record of each individual who requests information and the type of information requested regarding an animal feeding operation permit. Within seven business days of receiving the request, the department shall provide written notice to the owner and operator of the animal feeding operation describing the type of information that has been requested and the name and address of the requester. If an individual makes inquiries on more than three files in any one request, the department shall charge the individual a fee sufficient to cover the cost of mailing the notice to the owners and operators whose files are being examined and a fee for copying the records as allowed under section 44-04-18.