Recognizing the tremendous responsibility and importance of developing a Regional Master Plan for the Highlands Region, the Highlands Council undertook the task with careful and extensive research, including outreach to many individuals and groups with appropriate expertise.  As part of this effort, and as authorized by the Highlands Act, the Highlands Council formed 18 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) work groups, comprised of content experts and stakeholders.  These TACs served to provide continuing input on the complex technical issues and approaches that would inform the development of the Regional Master Plan.

The original TAC meetings were held in July 2005.  At these early meetings, the TACs identified the critical issues that should be addressed in upcoming Technical Reports that would ultimately support the development of the Regional Master Plan.  As a culmination of their work, each of the 18 TACs came together in March 2006 at a two-day charrette to investigate approaches and strategies aimed at incorporating their findings and recommendations into the draft of the Regional Master Plan.