In 1995, NMFS completed a comprehensive status review of west coast coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) that resulted in proposed listings for three Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs), including an Oregon Coast ESU of coho salmon inhabiting coastal streams between Cape Blanco and the Columbia River. After reviewing additional information, including biological data on the species' status and an assessment of protective efforts, NMFS concluded that this ESU did not warrant listing. However, the Oregon District Court recently overturned the decision and remanded the rule back to the agency. The District Court concluded that the ESA does not allow NMFS to consider the biological effects of future or voluntary conservation measures when making a listing determination. In light of the Court's order, the agency now concludes that the Oregon Coast coho salmon ESU warrants listing as a threatened species. NMFS will issue any protective regulations deemed necessary under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for this ESU in a separate rulemaking. Even though NMFS is not issuing protective regulations for this ESU at this time, Federal agencies are required under section 7 of the ESA to consult with NMFS if any activity they authorize, fund, or carry out may affect listed Oregon Coast coho salmon. In the Oregon Coast ESU, only naturally spawned populations of coho salmon are listed. NMFS has examined the relationship between hatchery and natural populations of coho salmon in this ESU and determined that none of the hatchery populations are currently essential for recovery and, therefore, the hatchery populations are not listed. DATES: Effective October 9, 1998.