Washington (CNN) A top official at the US Department of the Interior has warned that the department may rethink putting government employees in the states of lawmakers who oppose the relocation of the Bureau of Land Management.

Joseph Balash, assistant secretary for Land and Minerals Management, sent letters Wednesday to New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall and Rep. Betty McCollum, both Democrats, pushing back on criticism of the move.

"Given your apparent strong feelings about the Department's actions and intentions, we pledge to review and reconsider the relocation of additional Departmental resources to your State," Balash wrote in his letter to Udall, obtained by CNN.

Balash added, "We are also open to working with other delegations that object to additional Departmental resources being allocated to their States."

The Hill first reported Balash's letter to the lawmakers on Wednesday night.

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