California IN BRIEF : YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK : Group Calls for Car, Lodging Limits

The nonprofit Yosemite Assn., upset about the operation of Yosemite National Park, has urged creation of a task force to protect the park from overcrowding and environmental damage. Trustees of the 5,000-member group want the task force to push for goals listed in a 1980 plan for the park--including limiting cars and new lodging in Yosemite Valley. The National Park Service, which originally endorsed the goals, says many are now unrealistic. Some trustees said the park’s main concessionaire, Yosemite Park & Curry Co., should pay a higher share of profits in order to help implement the plan. Trustees also said they are considering creating a rival to the company to bid for lodging and concessions contracts. Yosemite Park & Curry Co. recently sent about 93,000 letters to former customers urging them to lobby against new restrictions on development in the park.