DRAFT,  v2.5 9 SEACOOS approach toward establishing region-wide sustained observing and modeling of the coastal ocean by building out from existing system elements.    II.2 Phase II (to August 2007): Beginning with Phase 2, SEACOOS will enhance nearshore and inshore capabilities by adding    two more targeted applications.  These are also chosen because of feasibility, but are delayed until  Phase 2 because of the significant development efforts required. 3. Storm surge/inundation – assist in providing high-resolution estimates of surge heights and inundation areas. Identified users: NWS/weather forecasting offices (WFOs), Emergency Management groups (Federal, State, and County). Major development requirement: high resolution topography onshore and   high resolution bathymetry in the nearshore/inshore regions.    4. Surface Waves – to better represent rip currents, bed stress and sediment transport, and to provide validation for wave forecast models. Identified users: NWS/WFOs, state resource managers. Major development requirement: regional directional wave measurement program. During Phase II we will also emphasize implementing an information archiving and retrieval plan,  and a quality assurance/quality control protocol, as a necessary step towards a sustained system. II.3 Phase III (2007-2012) Given the rapid and accelerating pace of development of IOOS, RAs and RCOOSs, we feel it is premature to identify specific applications for the longer term time frame at present.  We advocate    a general emphasis on making routine chemical, biological and geological measurements, growth    of the system inshore, and continued development of linkages to specific user groups to foster  specific applications.  We also anticipate that future evolution of SEACOOS will be addressing the  emerging priorities of information needs for ecosystem based management, which was recently  recommended in the Report of the US Commission on Ocean Policy.