Biden administration punts on DAPL shutdown, likely leaving pipeline's fate to federal judge In a much-anticipated federal court hearing on Friday, April 9, attorneys from the Department of Justice and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said they have not made up their minds on what to do about the embattled North Dakota pipeline, likely leaving its fate in the hands of a federal judge. Written By: Adam Willis | × Excavators move earth along the Dakota Access Pipeline route east of Williston, N.D., during its construction in late July 2016. Eric Hylden / Forum News Service BISMARCK — President Joe Biden's administration said in a federal court hearing Friday, April 9, that it would not force an immediate shutdown of the Dakota Access Pipeline during an environmental review, likely leaving the fate of the embattled project in a judge's hands.