§ 101 — Purpose

§ 101. Purpose. It is the purpose of this law to provide the exclusive\nprocedure by which property shall be acquired by exercise of the power\nof eminent domain in New York state; to assure that just compensation\nshall be paid to those persons whose property rights are acquired by the\nexercise of the power of eminent domain; to establish opportunity for\npublic participation in the planning of public projects necessitating\nthe exercise of eminent domain; to give due regard to the need to\nacquire property for public use as well as the legitimate interests of\nprivate property owners, local communities and the quality of the\nenvironment, and to that end to promote and facilitate recognition and\ncareful consideration of those interests; to encourage settlement of\nclaims for just compensation and expedite payments to property owners;\nto establish rules to reduce litigation, and to ensure equal treatment\nto all property owners.\n