We haven’t heard much lately from the group working to save Bend’s Mirror Pond. Perhaps that’s not surprising. The group was waiting to learn the fate of a request for $5 million from the Oregon Legislature to move the project along. And all the negotiations about Mirror Pond’s future are wrapped in secrecy.

When the Legislature adjourned Monday, the hope for state money for the pond died, at least for now. That was a surprise to Bend City Councilor Victor Chudowsky, who testified in Salem for the project. He did note the competition was stiff, and many of the projects seeking lottery funds were health facilities in the rural reaches of Oregon.

Yet the talks among the city, the Bend Park & Recreation District and PacifiCorp — which currently owns the dam that creates Mirror Pond — have continued. It’s a slow process, Chudowsky notes. We have heard conflicting reports about offers and counteroffers. Whatever is happening, the offers have not been made public.

The power company is always quick to point out that it is operating under tight regulatory control. It must answer to regulators in six states, all of whom want to be sure ratepayers are not hurt by any deal to sell the dam.

OK. But the power company deals with regulators all the time. It’s not like regulation is something new to it.

Then there is the potential interest of Tumalo Irrigation District in purchasing the dam, restoring it and using it to generate power and money for the district. Were that to happen, the district could take more water from the river at the dam and less from Tumalo Creek. That, in turn, would put more cold water in the river, where it’s sorely needed.

Some may see the irrigation district’s involvement as an additional complication. It sounds more to us like a way to move forward.

It’s hard to think of a project that has moved more slowly than preserving Mirror Pond. When decisions are made about big, complicated projects, such as the reconfiguration of the river at the Colorado Avenue dam, the projects get done.

Is the problem with Mirror Pond foot dragging? A lack of ideas? A lack of interest? Is it the secrecy? The negotiations are happening in secret, so there’s no way for the public to know. Secret negotiations on important public issues are not a good way to solve them.