(1) The department will make every effort to assist the applicant in preparing an estimated cost of a project. Furthermore, the department will make appropriate personnel available to the applicant to discuss the department's estimated cost of compiling the information and data necessary for the EIS. After a fee has been collected and work on the compilation of data and information necessary for the EIS is begun, it is the intention of the department to return all unused or unneeded portions of the fee as promptly as possible.