In order to preserve the quality and quantity of the region’s precious resource, as well as the quality of life of the 880,000 people who live in the Highlands, the Governor signed the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, on August 10, 2004. The Act calls for a fifteen member Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, five of whom must be municipal officials from the Highlands Region and 3 of whom must be county officials from the Highlands Region. Fourteen members were appointed to the Council in the fall of 2004. The Highlands Council is charged with carrying out the provisions of the Act, including the development of a regional master plan for the Highlands Region.