"This shows the Forest Service does agree these projects need to focus on small trees, and that basically any commercial logging under this act is inappropriate," he said. "It really set the precedent at a time when there are many more projects fairly close to decision time across the West. I hope other forests will follow Dixie's lead on this."

The question of whether the deal may have an impact may be answered fairly soon. Mueller said the big test would be an upcoming project near Monticello and Blanding in the Manti-La Sal National Forest. That project is designed to improve watershed in the cities, but also includes the clearing of some forest area to protect communities from fires.

In the meantime, Bird said while he was worried the new national forest law would turn out to be a veiled attempt to make logging easier in national forests, the deal in Dixie has done a lot to ease some of his fears.

"When this started, we felt like our worst nightmares had come true," he said. "But now I feel confident that if the spirit of the HFRA is met by the Forest Service on the ground, it could be a good tool to protect communities."

And while the friendly situation in Dixie didn't give the environmentalists a sweeping legal precedent in the courts, Mueller said he was confident that showdown would happen within the next couple of years.

"Frankly, even if we got a strong ruling one way or the other," Mueller said, "I think we would both agree that what happened here is better for everyone."

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E-mail: dhinckley@desnews.com