Project abstract for emdp 15.038 rvit.aggregatethis project will seek to continue and complete testing and define reserves at the upper short creek west hard rock quarry on the round valley…

The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs awarded $477,930 in obligated funding (of a $609,796 total request) to the Round Valley Indian Tribes on September 22, 2025, under the Minerals and Mining on Indian Lands program (CFDA 15.038). This project grant supports technical evaluation and resource development activities at the Upper Short Creek West Hard Rock Quarry and East Quarry on the Round Valley Reservation in Covelo, California, with an anticipated completion date of September 21, 2027. The primary deliverables include completion of testing and reserve definition at the Upper Short Creek West quarry, drilling and modeling of a deep exploratory hole at the East Quarry to assess deposit viability, and development of a comprehensive business plan that incorporates workforce training and market analysis for hard rock aggregate resources.

Under the direction of Toni Whipple, Director of Natural Resources and Manager for the 7 Tribes Rock Quarry, LLC, the tribe will engage an experienced business development consultant to evaluate the regional aggregate resource market and commercial viability of the quarry operations. This technical assistance enables the tribe to leverage the proven size and quality of the hard rock deposits to support construction, highway maintenance, and reclamation project demands in the surrounding region, thereby advancing tribal economic development objectives and informed decision-making regarding mineral resource extraction on Indian trust lands.

Project abstract for emdp 15.038 rvit.aggregatethis project will seek to continue and complete testing and define reserves at the upper short creek west hard rock quarry on the round valley reservation in northern california. A second goal will be to drill one deep hole at the top of the east quarry for testing and modeling of that deposit for future development. A third goal is to develop a business plan including training and to evaluate the area aggregate resource market after hiring an experienced business development expert for consultation. The area surrounding the round valley reservation has numerous opportunities for hard rock aggregate sales for construction, highway maintenance, and reclamation projects and the quarry rock has proven to be both sizeable in extent and very dense and hard material desired by contractors. The total amount of funding requested is $609,796 and the designated tribal project lead is toni whipple, director of natural resources and manager for the 7 tribes rock quarry, LLC.