Section 101. Purpose

It is the purpose of this law to provide the exclusive
  procedure  by  which property shall be acquired by exercise of the power
  of eminent domain in New York state; to assure  that  just  compensation
  shall be paid to those persons whose property rights are acquired by the
  exercise  of  the  power of eminent domain; to establish opportunity for
  public participation in the planning of  public  projects  necessitating
  the  exercise  of  eminent  domain;  to  give  due regard to the need to
  acquire property for public use as well as the legitimate  interests  of
  private  property  owners,  local  communities  and  the  quality of the
  environment, and to that end to promote and facilitate  recognition  and
  careful  consideration  of  those  interests; to encourage settlement of
  claims for just compensation and expedite payments to  property  owners;
  to  establish  rules to reduce litigation, and to ensure equal treatment
  to all property owners.