The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that the British Columbia government has paid off bankrupt Cline Mining for the loss of its claims in the Flathead River Valley. The Globe's Justine Hunter writes that Mines Minister Bill Bennett okayed the $9.8-million settlement to compensate for the money Cline spent developing its claims. He said the bigger mining industry players had avoided the region because it was long known to be environmentally sensitive. Mr. Bennett said: "I really didn't believe there would ever be a mine permitted there. I don't think any government in B.C. would have done that." Green Party MLA Andrew Weaver said the settlement highlights the need for B.C. to reform the law that allows firms to stake mineral claims on Crown land on-line, without regard for environmental values or first nations land claims. He calls the staking process "absurd." He says, "Give me $25 and I can make a stake on-line in some pristine area and then maybe get compensated." Mr. Bennett said the staking system is not at fault. "You can't do any work until you get a permit. We have to do a good job in the permitting phase." A Green observer called the compensation reasonable.