NEW YORK, NY May 02, 2007 —Despite spending hundreds of millions of dollars to save New Jersey's open spaces, the state continues to lose its battle against sprawl, according to the Department of Environmental Protection. WNYC's Bob Hennelly has more.

The latest DEP data shows the state continues to lose 15,000 acres a year of open land in its natural state to sprawl development. Collected between 1995 and 2002, the department used high resolution aerial photos to create detailed maps of the land.

The current reality, however, may even be worse with much pressure felt in the highlands, home to much of the state's water supply. Since 2002, the state has seen a yearly double digit jump in the number of building permits issued. For decades, voters faithfully backed bond issues to pay for acquiring open space.

But given the state's significant fiscal constraints, the sprawl may continue to erode what's left of New Jersey's open space. For WNYC, I'm Bob Hennelly.