The "Hatchet Wind Project" is sailing forward in Shasta County, but opponents say the wind turbines are a death trap for sacred birds of prey.

Protestors took to the streets of Redding Friday and they say they won't go down without a fight.

The wind project atop Hatchet Ridge near Burney has already been approved by the Shasta County Board of Supervisors, but there's a strong environmental opposition.

Wildlife researcher Jim Wiegand says "Green energy is a cover up and a lie because birds of prey are getting killed, people wouldn't believe how these turbines chop them up."

Many members of the Pit River Tribe were among the protestors outside the Shasta County Administration Center touting the deadly effects wind turbines have on birds, particularly bald eagles.

Wiegand says, "The sad part is they have the technology for safer turbines, they're just not developing it."

Final approval came in November, allowing the construction of 43 wind turbines along a 6.5-mile stretch of Hatchet Ridge.

With each turbine reaching upwards of 350 feet or larger than a football field, even project developers say it will be an eyesore.

Assistant Director of Resource Management for Shasta County Richard Simon says, "There just was no practical or feasible mitigation that would prevent the turbines from being visible from different points particularly from the Burney area."

But it's the damage to the natural elements that really has tribe members up in arms.

Montgomery Creek Resident and Pit River Tribe member Francis Lara Ward says, "When that time comes they think they're going to go up there and do that, I'm going to be there and I hope my tribe will be there too to stop them."

Environmental impact reports show the turbines will kill two to three bald eagles per year, but the rate could be higher based on the great number of eagles in the area.

Mitigation efforts will allow for $100,000 for eagle conservation.

Simon says, "It's performance based mitigation, if those effects exceed mitigation efforts will be reevaluated."

It's green power for over 30-thousand homes up against a native effort to stop the deaths of north state bald eagles.

Opponents believe because of federal laws protecting bald eagles, there could be grounds for a court case in the future