Yes, and often requiring signing NDAs. Cannot let the public know about the deal that could harm the environment and limit current resources needed by their constituents.

Lobbyist prefer talking to politicians behind closed doors versus in public. Words that are not required to be public are words that cannot be properly vetted. It is in the benefit to do so.

Public officials both elected and appointed prefer talking to everyone behind closed doors because words that are not in record cannot be subject to discovery and can never come back to bite you.