Wetlands are a key component of future flood prevention planning that should start now.

Two weeks ago, the parched earth in Wisconsin was practically begging for rain. Yet after being saturated by heavy rains last weekend, our soil has been rejecting the millions and millions of new drops that have been falling all week, turning them instantly into overland runoff. And while Wisconsinites love water, we likely all agree that too much of it in the wrong place brings intolerable economic losses and health and safety concerns.

But flood damages are often forgotten once "normal " weather returns.

Recall the intense flooding that parts of Wisconsin endured in the spring of 2004. These floods brought enormous economic damages.

According to the Wisconsin Emergency Management agency, public and private property owners incurred more than $87 million dollars in damages from natural disasters in 2004, much of which stemmed from flooding in May and June. Parties affected included businesses, farmers, municipalities, and more than 5,000 individual homeowners in 44 counties.

What can we do now to prevent future flooding?

We must protect and restore wetlands, nature 's hazard insurance. Often likened to sponges, wetlands soak up and retain runoff when it rains, slowly releasing it to groundwater or adjacent streams, rivers and lakes.

Wetlands are a crucial and necessary component of any plan to prevent future flooding and associated economic damages and health and safety concerns. And wetlands are especially needed in and around urban and suburban areas where pavement and other impervious surfaces intensify flooding problems.

Impervious surfaces turn rain into runoff that reaches lakes and rivers much faster than it would through the ground.

Wisconsin landscapes today have only half of the state 's pre-settlement wetland acreage. Nearly 5 million acres of wetlands -- once considered wastelands -- were drained or filled and converted to higher economic uses.

Now that science has documented the economically valuable services that wetlands provide, and the costs associated with wetland loss, we must protect remaining wetlands and restore historical losses.

The state has actually articulated this need through the Department of Natural Resources ' strategy on wetlands, Reversing the Loss, yet wetland fill continues and funding constraints have resulted in missed opportunities for restoration.

Wisconsin needs our marshes, bogs, swamps, and fens now more than ever to prevent future flooding and associated economic damages.

There are several other valuable wetland functions that make wetland protection compelling.

Wetlands ensure the health of our lakes, rivers and drinking water by filtering pollution and recharging groundwater supplies. And wetlands contribute significantly to our state 's $12 billion a year tourism industry by supporting hunting and fishing opportunities and providing beautiful, magical destinations for bird-watchers, paddlers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

It is worth noting that this summer 's prolonged dry period followed by the current intense rainy period matches precisely the trends for Wisconsin 's weather that have been predicted by climate change models.

As climate change continues and Wisconsin 's climate becomes more erratic, protecting remaining wetlands and their flood storage functions will become even more critical.

We cannot afford to lose more wetlands, or miss opportunities for wetland restoration, in this state. We urge Wisconsinites to convert concern about the current state of emergency into action for wetlands.

It is up to everyone -- from private landowners to local planners and state officials -- to ensure that our future landscapes include wetlands to provide nature 's hazard insurance.