CF,

If you're not able to get an exact answer from anyone you might try applying this model to the problem:

Who benefits from the chinook closure?

How much money (if any) is available for any potential research?

Where would this money (if any) come from?

Do you honestly believe that there is an on-going conspiracy at WDFW to pit wild fish advocates against harvest-minded anglers, and if so, why?

While it is easy to point fingers at WDFW and claim incompetence, do you honestly think that this is the case?

We may not always understand the motivation behind actions like the chinook closure on the Toutle, but rest-assured that someone, somewhere does, and stupidity is probably not the impetus.