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A Uintah County judge accepted plea deals Thursday from all 26 anti-tar sands activists charged in connection with two protests last summer.
None of the defendants received jail time or fines, despite facing felony charges for what local law enforcement labeled a "riot."
The protests briefly shut down operations at PR Springs in the southernmost part of the county, where a Canadian company has started to develop a controversial mine.
The pleas, negotiated with the help of pro bono lawyers, settle a contentious legal process that developed last summer when activists disrupted the new mine.
"We feel very fortunate we were able to resolve this because we want to focus on stopping the strip mining and not the legal defense," said Raphael Cordray, a spokeswoman for Utah Tar Sands Resistance. "It took a lot of attention away and we can now go back to our priority. We feel we have a renewed energy."
The protesters were arrested during a July 21 confrontation involving 80 anti-tar sand activists. At a follow-up protest on Sept. 23, five wore chipmunk masks to show their solidarity with nature.
The protesters, many from out of state, participated in Utah Tar Sands Resistance's summer-long vigil at PR Springs south of Vernal, where U.S. Oil Sands has been moving forward on permits to mine and process hydrocarbon-rich ore on school trust lands.
At the first protest, activists entered a fenced equipment yard and locked themselves to machinery while their compatriots stood outside chanting and others blocked law enforcement vehicles, according to the Uintah County Sheriff's Office.
On Thursday at the Vernal courthouse, 8th District Judge Edwin Peterson imposed only community service in terms that ranged from 20 to 120 hours. The judge pointedly noted he wouldn't credit protesting toward these hours.
"No one is saying they don't have a right to express themselves, they just don't get to count that as community service," said County Attorney Mark Thomas.
Seven protesters charged with felonies, including activist Jesse Fruhwirth, had their offenses "diverted," meaning they were set aside and would be dismissed after 18 months on probation.
Lesser convictions may not be entered if the defendant remains out of trouble during a 1-year probation period.
"All of them have taken responsibility," Thomas said. "It holds the protesters' feet to the fire to complete the terms.
"It's a good incentive for them and we don't lose the ability, if they commit new crimes, to pursue the original charge."
Two men, including Salt Lake City's Lionel Trepanier, are forbidden from protesting during the probation period and may not come within 300 feet of the U.S. Oil Sands project area.
The prosecutor said he tried to strike a balance between punishment and deterrence in cutting the deals.
"Too much punitive does the opposite of deterring," Thomas said. "When you interfere with someone's lawful activity, there is a price to be paid, but not to be so harsh that it engenders a dissatisfaction for someone trying to express an opinion."
Most of the protesters pleaded guilty to trespassing or disorderly conduct and were not required to appear in court.
As for the activists, they believe the real criminals are companies trying to mine Utah's tar sands and leaders of the group vowed to continue resisting such projects.
"This tar sands mine isn't safe for drinking water. It's a huge contribution to climate catastrophe. It's destroying vital animal habitat. It's destroying Mother Earth seized from indigenous people, and will make the region's air even more toxic for everyone," Cordray said. "It's not even safe for investors who are exposed to so much litigation risk attached to all those dangerous factors that violate the public trust."