Eric Prive, PE was asked to serve on the State of Rhode Island, Division of Planning Legislative Task Force on Wetland and OWTS (Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems) Setbacks. The purpose of the task force is to assess the adequacy of wetland protection in the state, identify gaps in protection, and recommend statutory or regulatory changes to protect wetlands statewide. As part of their data gathering they will seek feedback from the business community and stakeholders with an expertise in wetlands, water resources, or onsite wastewater systems. Prive joined DiPrete Engineering in 2000, while completing his degree at The University of Rhode Island for Civil and Environmental Engineering. He is now a project manager at DiPrete Engineering and is responsible for all aspects of a project including client management, scope, design and public hearings. The Legislative Task Force was a result of legislation passed by the general assembly in 2013. The task force will review technical topics presented to it and foster recommendations related to wetlands, water resources, and onsite wastewater systems for a final report to be submitted to the legislature in December. "I am honored to be part of this Task Force," said Prive. "There are a number of economic and environmental benefits that can come from examining our water resources in the state, and I look forward to working with other Task Force members to assess them." "Eric has a strong working knowledge and years of experience in the areas of environmental protection, wetlands and onsite wastewater treatment systems," said Dennis DiPrete, principal of DiPrete Engineering. "I know he will be a tremendous asset to the Task Force and the mission in front of them." The Division of Planning (DOP) has assembled a Task Force of 15 volunteers, who work closely with the DOP, the Department of Environmental Management, and the Coastal Resources Management Council to gather the best available data and research findings for the final report. Prive has worked on a number of recent New England projects including, East Matunuck Farms in South Kingstown, RI, Stone Haven in Attleboro, MA, the Submarine Learning Center in Groton, CT and several Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems throughout Rhode Island. In addition to his involvement on the Task Force, Prive is chairman of the City of Attleboro's Conservation Commission and is a past president of the Rhode Island Society of Professional Engineers (RISPE). Prive is also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Rhode Island Society of Environmental Professionals (RISEP). In 2009, he was named Young Engineer of the Year by the Rhode Island Society of Professional Engineers. Prive will serve on the board until December 2014.