Alberta musician Corb Lund comes out against proposed coal mines in Rocky Mountains
Grassy Mountain mine would be the first of what the government hopes is more open pit mines in the area
An Alberta musician is coming out against proposed coal mines for the province's Rocky Mountains.
Corb Lund, who has sung around the world about cowboy culture and rural life for decades, has released a Facebook video in which he calls the plans short-sighted and a threat.
"I'm just against it," he said, calling it a "terrible idea" in the short term and "especially" long term.
Alberta's United Conservative government has revoked a 1976 policy that kept coal mines out of the mountains and eastern slopes of the Rockies.
One mine is currently under review and vast areas of the mountains have been leased for exploration.
Lund, who says he's done thorough research into the issue, says those plans endanger the ranching lifestyles of his neighbours and the drinking water for millions downstream.
"Why would you take any risks at all with our water?" he said.
He's urging people to speak out and oppose open-pit coal mines in the Rockies. He also encouraged people to reach out to their MLAs and MPs about the plan.
"One of the things about this, it's the most urgent, is that no one knows about it," Lund said. "If you don't want the water poison, or if you don't want any chance of opening the door to any threat to the water, make it happen."
He also criticized the province for making the changes quietly and without consultation.
"The policy seems to have changed pretty quietly," Lund said. "I don't think that's how you should govern."
