Musician and activist Corb Lund submitted the “Water Not Coal” petition to Elections Alberta on June 10, 2026 [2].
The move seeks a province-wide ban on coal mining and exploration on the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains. This region includes the Grassy Mountain and Blackstone projects, where activists argue industrial extraction threatens critical water resources and fragile ecosystems [1].
Lund, an Alberta rancher, gathered more than 200,000 signatures from residents during a petition drive that began earlier this year [1]. He said that the environmental damage caused by coal mining would outweigh any potential economic benefit to the province [1].
This effort follows a series of public engagements by Lund to raise awareness about the risks of mining in the Rockies. On Feb. 19, 2026, Lund spoke at the Canadian Club of Calgary to discuss the intersection of land stewardship and industrial policy [3].
The petition specifically targets the Eastern Slopes, a region vital for biodiversity, and water catchment. By filing the document with Elections Alberta, Lund and his supporters are attempting to force a formal government response to the demand for a permanent ban on exploration in these sensitive areas [1, 4].
Lund has positioned the campaign as a necessity for long-term sustainability. He said that coal mining would cause greater environmental damage than any benefit, specifically threatening the water that sustains the region [1].
“more than 200,000 signatures”
The submission of a petition with significant public backing puts pressure on the Alberta government to balance industrial development with environmental conservation. By targeting the Eastern Slopes, the movement highlights a growing tension between the province's extractive economy and the preservation of the Rocky Mountain watershed.
