Editing Straw (section)

===Construction site sediment control===

Straw bales are sometimes used for [[sediment control]] at [[construction]] sites.<ref>{{cite web |title=Straw Bale Barrier |url=https://udfcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SC-03-Straw-Bale-Barrier.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714215019/https://udfcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SC-03-Straw-Bale-Barrier.pdf |archive-date=2019-07-14 |url-status=live |date=November 2010 |website=Urban Storm Drainage Criteria Manual |publisher=Urban Drainage and Flood Control District |location=Denver, CO |id=SBB-1}}</ref> However, bales are often ineffective in protecting [[water quality]] and are maintenance-intensive. For these reasons the [[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) and various state agencies recommend use of alternative sediment control practices where possible, such as [[silt fence]]s, [[fiber roll]]s and [[geotextiles]].<ref>{{cite web |title=National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices: Straw or Hay Bales |url=http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm?action=browse&Rbutton=detail&bmp=122 |website=National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) |date=2006-06-01 |publisher=U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |location=Washington, DC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730163657/http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm?action=browse&Rbutton=detail&bmp=122 |archive-date=2013-07-30}}</ref>

They can also be used as [[burned area emergency response]], as ground cover or as in-stream check dams.