Greater private role at Yosemite?

Following the US Interior Department's new direction -- that of a more prominent role for the private sector -- the Yosemite Park & Curry Company has proposed expanding its concessionaire activities in the 760,000-acre national park in California's Sierra Nevada.

The proposal would permit the company to:

* Assume operation of the Yosemite campgrounds.

* Consolidate the fire departments, telephone exchanges, and fuel storage locations.

* Handle all reservation systems in the park.

Yosemite Park officials say no definite action has been taken on the proposals, which are still under review. Elimination of duplicate services by placing the combined operation under private management could cut National Park Service costs.