SB: Privacy Walls

[Christianswest@aol.com]

I am looking to try my hand at using straw bales to construct a privacy wall on my property in the Colorado Springs area.  This would be my first SB project and I would set the bales on their sides and pin with 1x2's.  Some problems seem to emerge when looking at using SB's for this project.  They are:
         1. What type of foundation to use? How high off the ground before you start the bales?
         2. Questions about a SB wall with no roof overhang- seems to lend to water penetration and the wall failing.
         3. Waterproofing the bottom layer (seems like a bad idea), but how about tar paper on top of the top layer before the rounded stucco top?
         4. Should I proceed or use a cement block wall or a wood frame for the stucco.

Any Ideas or personal examples would be appreciated.