California IN BRIEF : YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK : Curbs Placed on Rebuilding Homes

Residents of the Foresta area of Yosemite National Park who lost their homes to fire last summer will not be allowed to rebuild unless they meet environmental codes. National Park Service officials cited the homes’ septic tanks as a potential hazard to Mariposa County’s ground water. Park service spokesman George Berklacy said the decision could prompt homeowners to sell their properties to the park service. But residents in Foresta--a small area of private land inside the northwestern boundary of Yosemite--have accused the park service of purposely blocking their rebuilding efforts in order to acquire the properties.