; (B) serve as examples of responsible land and water stewardship by providing benefits such as groundwater recharge, flood attenuation, and groundwater contaminants filtration; and (C) support native vegetation and provide habitat for wildlife species. (8) Despite their contribution to local food production and watershed stewardship, acequias are managing already limited water resources under conditions of aridification, changing irrigation and growing seasons, and encroachment of invasive species. (9) To address crop loss, planting challenges, and yield reductions, parciantes rely on direct financial assistance from Department of Agriculture programs, including the noninsured crop disaster assistance program established by section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 ( 7 U.S.C. 7333 ). 3. Ensuring farmers and ranchers have access to drought and disaster protections Section 196(c)(2) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 ( 7 U.S.C. 7333(c)(2) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (C) Acequia systems On making a determination described in subsection (a)(3) for producers who rely on acequia systems, the Secretary shall provide assistance under this section to those producers from all losses suffered as a result of the cause described in subsection (a)(3). . 4. Special use permits not required for routine maintenance and minor improvements of acequias (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Acequia The term acequia has the meaning of the term community ditch as that term is construed under New Mexico Stat. 73–2–27. (2) Community user The term community user means an employee, contractor, delegate, representative, volunteer, or other authorized personnel of the governing body of an acequia. (3) Secretary concerned The term Secretary concerned means— (A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture