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Here's something new this evening on the NEIN site:

28 November 2003-- During a joint investigation being conducted by the Northeast Intelligence Network and Mr. Steven Quayle to determine the likelihood that nuclear weapons, including radiological or dirty bombs could be present within the continental United States, we were provided with the above digital photograph [image claims copyright, so I didn't attach - it's a small helicopter with an odd device hanging off the bottom, looks something like a long auger you would use to drill a hole for a telephone pole] . The image is of a small, quiet, 5-blade helicopter flying at approximately 75-100 feet above ground level near the property of a nuclear power plant owned by First Energy Corporation. [photo and longer article at www.hagmannpi.com/terror.htm ]

I did some digging on my own tonight and determined that the Federal NEST Team does, in fact, have at least three helicopters at its disposal. I determined that the helo in the photo appears to be an MD-500E, which is a model commonly used in law enforcement. Finally, I learned that FirstEnergy owns three nuclear generation stations: Beaver Valley in Shippingport, PA; Davis Besse in Oak Harbor, OH; and Perry in Perry, OH. It appears that they may also still own the defunct Three Mile Island Unit 2 at Middletown, PA (the operational Unit 1 was sold to another utility by FirstEnergy's predecessor). Any of these 4 sites would be consistent with the appearance of the bare tree branches in the photo at this time of year. Apparently the Davis Besse facility has had numerous serious problems of late, so if the NEST Team was snooping around there, it might just be for accidental release of radiation or some standard monitoring.

From Northeast Intelligence Network (http://www.hagmannpi.com/terror.htm):

This image was taken by a professional photographer after observing the helicopter using 10x binoculars for several minutes. The helicopter was observed quietly flying in a tight pattern over an area near the nuclear facility, using a device tethered to the helicopter as if it was searching for a specific location or "target." The photograph was taken earlier this week, however was not released until being authenticated through independent analysis. Additional investigation verified the authenticity of the image and the veracity of the photographer. Corroborating witnesses were also located and interviewed.
The original image was shown to several individuals familiar with radiological detection equipment without providing them with any information or explanation of the photograph; they were selected based on their knowledge of such equipment and asked to describe the image depicted. All sources provided nearly identical responses-- the helicopter is most likely an asset of the Nuclear Emergency Search Team (NEST) and the line is carrying an array of "directional flux probes" designed to search for the "signature" of a radiological device.
Questioned on whether such a device would be used to check for leakage within a nuclear reactor, containment facility or other physical structures operated by a nuclear power plant, all of the sources familiar with power plant operations were at a loss to explain the use of such equipment "absent of any known or suspected radiological leakage." Additionally, the photographer admitted that during the last 14 years of living within close proximity to the power facility, he had never seen any such device being used. Initially thought to be a device used in the transportation of power equipment, then suspected of being an instrument used to clear brush from critical power structures, our investigation proved otherwise. A thorough investigation into the activities at this facility on the date and within a six-hour time period that this photograph was taken was performed. According to sources directly responsible for such activities, it was learned that no authorization was given to any employee, contractor, sub-contractor, or public utility to perform any type of work, including but not limited to the activities mentioned above at the location where this helicopter was observed.
It is interesting to note that this image was taken on the same day that several news stories were published that referenced "dirty bombs" or other types of nuclear devices being viewed as a credible threat within the United States. Based on the results of our combined investigation as well as the interesting timing of this sighting, it seems as though we currently have more questions than answers. -- Douglas J. Hagmann, Director