BLM names Dunton as authorized officer

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management said Feb. 7 that Ron Dunton has been named the new authorized officer for the Office of Pipeline Monitoring.

Jerry Brossia, who was authorized officer for a number of years, retired last year; Nolan Heath had been the acting authorized officer in the interim.

Dunton has worked for BLM-Alaska as the gas pipelines project manager since 2009. He previously was acting director for the Office of Wildland Fire in Washington, D.C.; deputy state director for Lands and Resources in New Mexico; national fire program manager in Idaho; area manager and assistant area manager in New Mexico; and fire supervisor/manager in Alaska and New Mexico.

BLM State Director Bud Cribley said in a statement that “Dunton’s ability to foster cooperation and discussion with diverse groups and agencies will be a valuable asset.”

The Office of Pipeline Monitoring provides federal oversight of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, administers rights-of-way permits for land use, cultural survey activities and material sales related to pipeline use on federal lands.

Dunton begins his new assignment Feb. 14.

—Kristen Nelson