State Rep. Tom Saviello has removed himself from the Natural Resources Committee in the Legislature and asked the ethics commission to decide whether he has a conflict of interest.

Calls for Saviello to be removed from the committee, which writes and oversees laws and regulations that directly affect his job as International Paper’s environmental manager, are not new. But allegations that he was involved in a failed quid pro quo with Dawn Gallagher, the former commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, and exerted pressure on the agency were too much for him to withstand.

By asking the ethics commission to investigate, Saviello is hoping for a finding that will allow him to return to the committee. Saviello deserves credit for taking the best path open to him. He could have tried to weather the storm, but every step of his on the committee would have been greeted with a chorus of criticism.

When you boil it right down, Saviello doesn’t need the ethics commission to tell him whether he has a conflict of interest that would prevent him from serving on Natural Resources. Surely, he already knows. The rest of us, however, could use the input.

Several sources, including acting DEP Commissioner David Littell, who was at one meeting where a deal was discussed, say Saviello was a willing participant with Gallagher in a trade. Violations of hazardous waste law would disappear in exchange for support on legislation involving the Androscoggin River. If Littell is correct – and we have no reason to doubt him – Saviello’s position with the mill and his position on the Natural Resources Committee ran smack up against each other.

He was able to benefit personally – the violations were never issued – even if he never carried through on his part of the deal concerning the river.

The imbroglio forced Gallagher to resign, and may have cost Saviello the committee assignment he covets.

He’s looking for cover – a way back onto the committee. Stepping aside is the responsible thing to do. Hoping the ethics committee will validate his membership is the only hope to lift the cloud hanging over his service.

Conflict of interest laws for legislators are complicated. They take into account that lawmakers are expected to hold other jobs and give them great leeway to participate in discussions that could affect their other jobs.

Saviello’s situation is intractable. He is no doubt an expert on environmental laws and regulations. He feels strongly that it’s in the best interest of his constituents – including millworkers and their employers – to carry on with his work. When those interests run counter to the best interests of the environment, however, it’s clear where his loyalties rest.

A positive report from the ethics committee might be enough to restore Saviello’s place on Natural Resources, but questions about his dual role won’t go away.

They’ll come up every time Saviello works on an issue that would affect IP, the Androscoggin River or the paper industry.