NORWICH – The 1,000-plus page framework to protect New York’s environment from shale gas drilling using hydraulic fracturing, which was slated to be released yesterday, has been pushed back because of Tropical Storm Irene.

A Department of Environmental Conservation spokeswoman said the draft plan will be unveiled at some point next week, with a public comment period to follow.

“DEC continues to be focused on hurricane response and recovery,” DEC spokeswoman Emily DeSantis said.