Because WDFW is the entity running the program.

Costs are awarded in lawsuits, especially in environmental citizen suits, to specifically encourage the suits to be brought...otherwise they will be mashed by big corporate entities with huge purses.

NOAA-F and WDFW managed to get permits to pretty much continue fishing unabated after Chinook were listed in pretty quick order...this one should have been handled years ago.

There is, however, another good reason as to why it probably hasn't been handled yet...and this is the one that folks don't like to hear, but the program is very unlikely to get the permit, and is very likely in blatant violation of the ESA in more than one way.

Fish on...

Todd