Ocean and Coastal Observation Systems Act of 2004 - Directs the President, acting through the National Ocean Research Leadership Council (NORLC), to carry out a pilot program to establish an integrated ocean and coastal observing system (IOOS) of monitoring, data communication and management, analysis, modeling, and research to provide data and information for the timely detection and prediction of changes occurring in the marine and coastal environment that impact the Nation's social, economic, and ecological systems.
Establishes within NORLC an interagency program office (OceanUS) which shall be responsible for program planning and coordination of the IOOS. Requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to be the lead Federal agency for implementation and operation of the IOOS. Requires regional associations to be responsible for the development and operation of regional ocean and coastal observing systems to meet the information needs of the users groups in the region while adhering to national standards.