PIONEER | ADVOCATE
Eugene A. Chappie
“Gene” Chappie was a Jeep enthusiast who was elected to the California Legislature in 1964 and immediately became the champion for off-road recreation at a time when many in the legislature were seeking ways to ban off-roading from state parks and other public lands. Rather than join a growing chorus to ban the sport from our parklands and beaches, Chappie proposed landmark legislation, AB 2342, the Chappie-Z’berg Off Highway Vehicle Act of 1971 that was designed to identify and set aside areas specifically for the use of off-road vehicles.