MOSES LAKE - The recent sinking of the Moses Lake Irrigation & Rehabilitation District's dredge is being considered "eco-terrorism" by investigators.

Curt Carpenter, the district's manager, said the dredge was sunk by "certain parties." Investigators with the Grant County Sheriff's Office are considering the incident an act of eco-terrorism, he said.

Deputies are also investigating recent theft and vandalism at Connelly Park, where a motorcycle was used to destroy about $2,400 worth of new landscaping. Large batteries from district equipment were stolen at Connelly Park.

"It's pretty upsetting for the staff and public," Carpenter said of the dredge incident.

Carpenter thanked staff, emergency crews in town and Pat Hochstatter for their help during the incident.

The dredge was raised in 2.5 days and clean up was completed in 3.5 days, Carpenter said.

The state Department of Ecology (DOE) asked the district to join the East Side Emergency Response Team, as similar responses on the west side are a three week process, he said.

The district was able to satisfy the DOE by showing there was no infiltration and the dredge operated properly, he explained.

Staff was able to put hydraulic fluid and diesel fluid back into the dredge, he said.

The dredge has been back in operation for five days and sediment removal work is back on schedule.

DOE employees met Wednesday to discuss the situation.

There will be fines, but the cost won't be known until November, as well as clean-up costs, he said.

The majority of the costs will be covered by the district's insurance.

He said he was glad the board accepted that option in the district's insurance.

"In hindsight, there were good decisions made," he commented.

Ron Covey, the district's board president, said the district placed a thank-you in the newspaper to recognize those who assisted with the clean-up.

After the district's meeting with a detective, it was ascertained by the detective that it wasn't something that just happened on its own, Covey said.

It was done by an individual or certain individuals who wanted to see damage done to the dredge, he explained.

Discussions are occurring with the sheriff's office and county commissioners to find grant money that can be used a reward in the case.