N.Y. RRD Law § 18

§ 18. Railroads through public lands. The commissioner of general\nservices may grant to any domestic or foreign railroad corporation land\nbelonging to the people of the state, except the reservation at Niagara\nand the Concourse lands on Coney Island, which may be required for the\npurposes of its road on such terms as may be agreed upon by them; or a\ndomestic railroad corporation may acquire title thereto by condemnation;\nand the county or town officers having charge of any land belonging to\nany county or town, required for a domestic railroad corporation for the\npurposes of its road, may grant such land to the corporation for such\ncompensation as may be agreed upon. In case the land or any right,\ninterest or easement therein, required by a domestic or foreign railroad\ncorporation is used for prison purposes the commissioner of general\nservices may grant such land, or any right, interest or easement\ntherein, provided the plans of such railroad corporation for the use of\nsuch prison lands, or such right, interest or easement therein, have the\napproval of the commissioner of corrections and community supervision.\n