The Interagency Group on Earth Observations draft 10-year plan is available for public comment, with comments due by Nov 8, 2004 by email. Detailed activity reports for 9 societal benefit areas, including weather, climate, energy, disasters, health, agriculture, water resources, ecosystems, and oceans, will soon be released as Appendix 3 of the plan, with an extended comment period. The 10-year plan identifies several "near-term opportunities" for enhanced Earth observations with regard to: Data Management, Improved Observations for Disaster Warnings, Next Generation Global Land Observing System, Sea Level Observing System, National Integrated Drought Information System, Air Quality Assessment and Forecast System. The United States IWGEO plan will provide a basis for negotiating an international plan as part of the international Group on Earth Observations (GEO) at Earth Summit 3, scheduled to occur in Brussels in February 2005. Several of the 51 member nations of the GEO are also preparing their national plans, and a draft joint international 10-year plan will also eventually be available for public review.