Sanctuary managers reassigned during inquiry

An ongoing inquiry into an allegation of “a hostile work environment” at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary resulted in two top administrators removed from their posts Monday.

Sean Morton, the sanctuary superintendent since 2007, and Mary Tagliareni, deputy superintendent for operations and a 25-year Keys sanctuary staffer, will work remotely “to support the National Marine Sanctuaries headquarters office,” says a statement released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“While we cannot comment on internal personnel issues, we are taking this complaint seriously,” says the statement. “NOAA values the importance of a safe and healthy work environment where employees can thrive and successfully carry out our mission.”

The reassignment was described as “temporary changes in Florida Keys sanctuary leadership.”

Ed Lindelof, a longtime NOAA manager who worked on the creation of the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary in the Lower Keys 1981, has been named to serve as acting Keys sanctuary superintendent. isa Symons, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries’ damage assessment and resource protection coordinator, will serve as acting deputy superintendent. Symons has been active in Keys issues involving seagrass and coral groundings.

Lindelof and Symons will “help ensure continuity of operations for the time being,” NOAA says.

Billy Causey, regional sanctuaries director for the Southeast U.S. and Caribbean and the first Keys sanctuary superintendent, and Beth Dieveney, deputy Keys superintendent for science and policy, remain in their respective positions.

The National Ocean Service began speaking with sanctuary staff in early June after receiving a complaint alleging “a hostile work environment and waste, fraud and abuse,” according to an internal NOAA memo not released publicly.

No further details on the nature of the allegations were available but the probe has been linked to this week’s staff reassignment.

Keys sanctuary staff and volunteer advisory council members contacted by the Keynoter either declined comment or said they were surprised by the turn of events. “What? You’ve got to be kidding me,” said Monroe County Commissioner George Neugent, a member and former chairman of the Keys Sanctuary Advisory Council.

Tagliareni, a former state marine enforcement officer, was named the National Ocean Service’s employee of the year in 2006 for her work on the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, the sanctuary’s headquarters in Key West.

The Keys sanctuary has a staff of about 40 people, split between state and federal workers, to support the 2,900 square miles of protected marine waters.

This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 9:17 AM with the headline "Sanctuary managers reassigned during inquiry."