ANN WALSH BRADLEY, J.
¶ 1. This case comes before us upon three petitions for review of a court of appeals decision reversing the circuit court order that affirmed an administrative law judge (ALJ) decision allowing ABKA Limited Partnership to proceed with a "dockominium" project.1 The court of appeals concluded that the conversion of a marina to a dockominium form of ownership as proposed by ABKA and the Abbey Harbor Condominium Association violates the public trust doctrine because it transfers ownership of public waters to private individuals.
¶ 2. We agree with the court of appeals that the ALJ erred and that ABKA's conversion of its marina to a condominium form of ownership violated the public trust doctrine. However, we determine that the reason ABKA violated the public trust doctrine was because it attempted to convey condominium property contrary to Wis. Stat. § 30.133 (1995-96),2 which prohibits certain [494]*494transfers of riparian rights. Accordingly, albeit with a different rationale, we affirm the court of appeals.
5 — I
¶ 3. Development of the Abbey Harbor marina began in 1962 after a permit was granted for the dredging of uplands and dry marsh abutting Lake Geneva. Specifically, the permit was "to construct an enlargement of Geneva Lake as described herein, subject to the condition that the artificial waterway so constructed shall be a public waterway." The permit also stated that "a marina and boat-storage will be developed in the constructed waterway."
¶ 4. ABKA purchased the marina in 1973. Over time, and after additional permits, the marina came to include 407 boat slips. These permits provided: "The Department may change or revoke this permit if the project. . . becomes detrimental to the public interest." Until 1995, the slips were rented to the public on a seasonal basis.
¶ 5. In 1995, ABKA filed a condominium declaration in order to convert the marina into the condominium form of ownership under Wis. Stat. ch. 703. The declaration provided for the creation of 407 units, with a unit defined as a four-by-five-by-six inch "lock box" to be located in the Harbor House. The configuration was similar to a set of small post-office boxes. The unit definition in the declaration also provided that each unit would include "as an appurtenance, standard [495]*495riparian rights of owners of waterfront real estate under Wisconsin Law, and the use of an assigned boat slip corresponding to the unit designation as a part of the common elements of THE ABBEY HARBOR CONDOMINIUM."
¶ 6. ABKA and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) agreed that ABKA would apply to the DNR for a permit authorizing the conversion of the marina into condominium property. The DNR received an objection to the permit application, alleging that the project violated Wis. Stat. ch. 30, the public trust doctrine, and the Wisconsin Constitution. Thus, a contested case hearing was held before an ALJ, pursuant to Wis. Stat. ch. 227.
¶ 7. In addition to ABKA and the DNR, a number of other entities and persons were made parties to the proceedings, including the Wisconsin Realtors Association, Inc., and the Wisconsin Association of Lakes (WAL). The Condominium Association became a co-applicant.
¶ 8. ABKA maintained that the DNR had no jurisdiction to regulate the conversion of its existing boat slips to a condominium form of ownership. The ALJ disagreed. Referring to the language in previous permits, the ALJ determined that "the DNR has jurisdiction over this matter given the plain language in the permits ('The Department may change or revoke this permit if the project obstructs navigation or becomes detrimental to the public interest.'[])." Also, relying on the DNR's regulatory authority pursuant to ch. 30, the ALJ determined that if all 407 boat slips were converted to private "dockominiums," the marina would exceed its reasonable use of the riparian frontage. In addition, the ALJ determined that the blanket approval of such a conversion would be detrimental to the public interest [496]*496within the meaning of Wis. Stat. § 30.12.3 Accordingly, the ALJ granted a permit, but required that 287 of the slips remain as rentals. In reaching its decision, the ALJ observed, "[t]o some degree the dockominium concept involves a legal fiction: that ABKA is selling the lock-box condominium units, rather them the pier slips, for nearly $50,000."
¶ 9. The circuit court affirmed the ALJ, but the court of appeals reversed. The court of appeals did not address the question of DNR jurisdiction because it determined that ABKA had waived the right to challenge jurisdiction by agreeing to apply for a permit. In addressing the merits of the case, the court of appeals concluded that by permitting the conversion of the marina to private dockominiums as ABKA proposed, the DNR allowed control over navigable waters to be vested in private individuals in violation of the public trust doctrine.
¶ 10. The DNR, ABKA and the Condominium Association jointly (hereinafter "ABKA"), and the Realtors Association all petitioned this court for review. Several entities filed briefs as amici curiae.
II
¶ 11. Chapter 30 embodies a system of regulation of Wisconsin's navigable waters pursuant to the public trust doctrine. Gillen v. City of Neenah, 219 Wis. 2d 806, [497]*497828, 580 N.W.2d 628 (1998); Waukesha County v. Seitz, 140 Wis. 2d 111, 409 N.W.2d 403 (Ct. App. 1987). Although the public trust doctrine originally existed to protect commercial navigation, it has been expansively interpreted to safeguard the public's use of navigable waters for other purposes. R.W. Docks & Slips v. State, 2001 WI 73, ¶ 19, 244 Wis. 2d 497, 628 N.W.2d 781.4
¶ 12. Regulation and enforcement of this public trust rests with both the legislature and the DNR. Borsellino v. DNR, 2000 WI App 27, ¶ 17, 232 Wis. 2d 430, 606 N.W.2d 255 (Ct. App. 1999). The legislature has delegated to the DNR broad authority to regulate under the public trust doctrine and to administer ch. 30. See State v. Town of Linn, 205 Wis. 2d 426, 443-44, 556 N.W.2d 394 (Ct. App. 1996).
¶ 13. Section 30.133, as a provision in ch. 30, is included in the public trust doctrine and forms part of the basis for the DNR's jurisdiction over ABKA's proposed condominium project. It provides:
Prohibition against conveyance of riparian rights. (1) Beginning on April 9, 1994, no owner of riparian land that abuts a navigable water may convey, by easement or by a similar conveyance, any riparian right in the land to another person, except for the right to cross the land in order to have access to the navigable water. This right to cross the land may not include the right to place any structure or material in the navigable water.
[498]*498¶ 14. In addition to making other assertions, ABKA renews its jurisdictional arguments in this court, contending that neither § 30.133 nor any other part of the public trust doctrine as embodied in ch. 30 confers jurisdiction on the DNR to regulate the change in ownership of its marina. Similarly, the Realtors Association contends that the DNR does not have jurisdiction to "reopen" a valid permit under the public trust doctrine based only on a change in ownership.
¶ 15. Accordingly, this case presents a preliminary issue of the DNR's jurisdiction to regulate ABKA's conversion of its marina to a condominium form of ownership. Whether the DNR has jurisdiction to regulate is a question of law subject to independent appellate review. Rusk County Citizen Action Group, Inc. v. DNR, 203 Wis. 2d 1, 6, 552 N.W.2d 110 (Ct. App. 1996). We determine that the DNR has jurisdiction.
¶ 16. Contrary to what ABKA and the Realtors Association assert, this case is not about whether the DNR had authority to "reopen" a permit or whether ABKA had to seek a permit. These assertions ignore the DNR's statutory authority to enforce the public trust doctrine, the reality of the regulation process, and the facts of this case.
¶ 17. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 30.03(4), the DNR may bring an enforcement action when it learns of a "possible violation" of the public trust doctrine. Specifically, § 30.03(4) provides:
(a) If the department learns of a possible violation of the statutes relating to navigable waters or a possible infringement of the public rights relating to navigable waters, and the department determines that the public [499]*499interest may not be adequately served by imposition of a penalty or forfeiture, the department may proceed as provided in this paragraph, either in lieu of or in addition to any other relief provided by law. The department may order a hearing under ch. 227 concerning the possible violation or infringement, and may request the hearing examiner to issue an order directing the responsible parties to perform or refrain from performing acts in order to fully protect the interests of the public in the navigable waters.
¶ 18. Thus, to summarize the import of this statute for our purposes here: it provides that if the DNR "learns of a possible violation of the statutes relating to navigable waters," it may pursue an enforcement action "either in lieu of or in addition to any other relief provided by law." The DNR may then request the ALJ to issue an order directing the responsible parties to "perform or refrain from performing acts." Essentially, under § 30.03(4), the DNR has jurisdiction to pursue any "possible violation" of the public trust doctrine as embodied in ch. 30, and it may request broad injunctive-type relief.
¶ 19. There were several possible violations of the public trust doctrine, as is apparent from the issues addressed in the ALJ's decision. ABKA's dockominium project may have been exceeding its reasonable use of the State's navigable waters, may have been detrimental to the public interest as that concept is used in ch. 30, or, as illustrated by the arguments before the ALJ, may have run afoul of § 30.133. In addition, as the ALJ determined, two of the permits that ABKA held specifically recognized DNR's jurisdiction to change or revoke the permit "if the project . . . becomes detrimental to the public interest."
[500]*500¶ 20. The DNR explains in its brief that despite its authority under § 30.03(4), in reality it often will agree with a party to proceed under the permit process: "Encouraging persons to proceed with the disputed activities and await enforcement actions risks inviting damage that cannot be undone by after-the-fact remedies."
¶ 21. This apparently is what happened in this case. After the DNR received information about ABKA's dockominium project, counsel for the DNR sent a letter to counsel for ABKA, the key portions of which were as follows:
As you know, the Department received information last week that boat slips at the Abbey Harbor adjacent to Lake Geneva were being sold as "condominiums." I discussed this with you on November 30, 1994, and indicated that if "condominium units" were defined in such a way that they included public navigable waters this would be a violation of the public trust doctrine and would be of concern to the Department.
... I advised you by phone message on December 5, 1994, that the Purchase Agreement did not address our concerns about the definition of the condominium units that I had previously discussed with you and asked that you provide to us the "condominium plat and condominium declaration."
You supplied the Abbey Harbor Condominium Declaration .... Upon review of these materials, it is clear there are significant problems with this condominium declaration since it includes, as part of the condominium units for which purchasers are purported to be given fee simple title and control, portions of the public navigable waters of the State of Wisconsin.
We have referred this matter to the Attorney [501]*501General's office and ... [t]heir initial reaction to these documents is consistent with our interpretation. The State of Wisconsin will, if necessary, initiate action to stop the purported sale of public trust waters to private individuals and to have any transactions which may have already occurred invalidated.
The Department will also be reviewing the permits which have been issued for the marina structures in this area. There are questions raised by these transactions and proposed transactions relative to who are "riparian owners or proprietors" who can continue to maintain pier structures in this marina area.
(Emphasis added.)
¶ 22. Pursuant to the DNR's request, ABKA made changes in its condominium declaration. Relying on the DNR's approval of the declaration, ABKA continued with its project and agreed to proceed with the permit process. However, the agreement with the DNR provided: "Nothing in this agreement limits the authority of the administrative law judge to hear and decide this matter on any legal basis presented at the hearing or by any party or raised sua sponte by the administrative law judge."
¶ 23. In the ensuing contested case hearing held according to ch. 227, the DNR did not take the position that ABKA's dockominium project violated § 30.133, but intervening parties did. The ALJ resolved the case by determining that ABKA had exceeded its reasonable use of the water and that its dockominium project was detrimental to the public interest. However, consistent with the possible bases for a violation of the public trust doctrine, the ALJ recognized that one of the issues was "whether the Condominium Declaration violates sec. 30.133, Stats."
[502]*502¶ 24. What ABKA's and the Realtors Association's arguments fail to recognize is that for purposes of our determination of DNR jurisdiction, it is of no consequence that ABKA proceeded with the permit process under § 30.12 or that the ALJ chose to base its decision on one ground or another. The DNR's jurisdiction was triggered under § 30.03(4) because ABKA's conversion of its marina to a condominium form of ownership presented several possible violations of the public trust doctrine.5
¶ 25. The court of appeals, in contrast, concluded that ABKA waived its right to challenge the DNR's jurisdiction by the act of applying for a permit. We turn briefly to discuss the waiver issue.
¶ 26. None of the parties, including the DNR, supports the court of appeals decision on waiver. We agree with the parties that the court of appeals decision as to waiver was incorrect. "The jurisdiction of administrative agencies is always open for judicial review." Kennedy v. DHSS, 199 Wis. 2d 442, 448, 544 N.W.2d 917 (Ct. App. 1996) (citing Union Indent. Co. v. Railroad Comm'n, 187 Wis. 528, 538, 205 N.W. 492 (1925)).
¶ 27. The only case the court of appeals cited for its waiver rule was Sterlingworth Condo. Ass'n v. DNR, 205 Wis. 2d 710, 556 N.W.2d 791 (Ct. App. 1996). However, the portion of Sterlingworth the court of [503]*503appeals cited stands only for the proposition that by electing to continue with a permit hearing rather than risking an enforcement action, the applicant accepts the burden of proof as to whether what the applicant seeks is detrimental to the public interest. 205 Wis. 2d at 726-27. Nothing in Sterlingworth should be read for a rule that a party is unable to retain the right to challenge DNR jurisdiction upon filing of a permit application.
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¶ 28. Having determined that the DNR had jurisdiction, we turn to the merits of this case. Both the ALJ and the court of appeals majority discussed ABKA's condominium units as a "legal fiction." In the ALJ's decision, 29 of the 92 findings of fact addressed the condominium form of ownership and the rights of condominium owners as set forth in the condominium declaration. The ALJ concluded, however, that the condominium declaration was not a violation of § 30.133.
¶ 29. The central issue we address is whether the ALJ correctly concluded that ABKA's attempt to convey condominium property did not violate § 30.133. In addressing this issue, we must interpret and apply ch. 703, Wisconsin's condominium statute, as well as § 30.133. The interpretation and application of statutes is a question of law for this court's independent determination. Auman v. School Dist. of Stanley-Boyd, 2001 WI 125, ¶ 6, 248 Wis. 2d 548, 635 N.W.2d 762.
¶ 30. Our review of an agency decision is the same as the circuit court's. Boynton Cab Co. v. DILHR, 96 [504]*504Wis. 2d 396, 405, 291 N.W.2d 850 (1980). We are not bound by an agency's conclusions of law. UFE Inc. v. LIRC, 201 Wis. 2d 274, 285, 548 N.W.2d 57 (1996). To the contrary, "[t]he court shall set aside or modify the agency action if it finds that the agency has erroneously interpreted a provision of law." Wis. Stat. § 227.57(5). Although we give due weight or great weight deference to agency conclusions of law when appropriate, here the interpretation of § 30.133 presents a question that is "clearly one of first impression" and thus warrants no deference. UFE, 201 Wis. 2d at 285.
¶ 31. In resolving the issue before us, we rely on several statutes in ch. 703, but principally the statute that defines a condominium "unit," Wis. Stat. § 703.02(15). Our interpretation of the Wisconsin condominium statutes is aided by a comparison to the Uniform Acts, which Wisconsin has not adopted. Applying these statutes and § 30.133 to ABKA's docko-minium project, we conclude that the ALJ erred in approving the attempted conversion because the project was a conveyance of riparian rights in violation of §30.133.
A.
¶ 32. A "condominium" is defined as "property subject to a condominium declaration established under this chapter." Wis. Stat. § 703.02(4). The declaration is "the instrument by which a property becomes subject to this chapter." § 703.02(8).
¶ 33. The basic types of ownership interests in a condominium consist of the "unit" and the "common elements." The "unit" is:
a part of a condominium intended for any type of independent use, including one or more cubicles of air [505]*505at one or more levels of space or one or more rooms or enclosed spaces located on one or more floors (or parts thereof) in a building.
§ 703.02(15).6 Common elements are "all of a condominium except its units." § 703.02(2). A common element is a "limited common element" if it is "identified in a declaration or on a condominium plat as reserved for the exclusive use of one or more but less than all of the unit owners." § 703.02(10). A unit, together with its undivided interest in the common elements, constitutes real property. Wis. Stat. § 703.04.
¶ 34. ABKA's declaration language as approved by the DNR defines a unit as a lock box that includes, as an appurtenance, riparian rights and the use of a boat slip. The "unit" is:
that separate area of the condominium intended for independent, private use, comprised of a cubicle of space defined by a "Lock Box" located within the Harbor House as shown in the Condominium Plat. ... The dimensions of each unit shall be approximately four (4) inches in width, five (5) inches in height, and six (6) inches in length. Each unit shall include as an appurtenance, standard riparian rights of owners of waterfront real estate under Wisconsin Law, and the use of an assigned boat slip corresponding to the unit designation as a part of the common elements of THE ABBEY HARBOR CONDOMINIUM.
¶ 35. The declaration lists the common elements as:
all of THE ABBEY HARBOR CONDOMINIUM, real property, and real property interests, improvements and appurtenances as described in this Declaration, [506]*506except the individual units ... and shall include ... the marina shoreline, sea wall and sidewalk along said shoreline... all docks, boardwalks, piers and pilings contained within the marina. .. the Harbor House, outdoor swimming pool, boat launching ramp ... and any and all other parts or elements of the condominium Property as described in this Declaration ....
The section of the declaration describing which elements are limited common elements includes the following provision:
Boat Slips. Each unit owner, as a limited common element appurtenant exclusively to his unit, shall have riparian rights to use of the space beside the pier or piers corresponding to his unit number as shown in the Condominium Plat, for use as a boat slip.
¶ 36. Examining the condominium statutes in light of ABKA's dockominiums, we begin with thé statutory definition of unit. As previously noted, the statutory definition of unit states that it is a "part of a condominium intended for any type of independent use, including one or more cubicles of air at one or more levels of space or one or more rooms or enclosed spaces located on one or more floors (or parts thereof) in a building." § 703.02(15). Our focus is on the language providing that the unit must be "intended for any type of independent use."
¶ 37. The requirement in § 703.02(15) that the unit be "intended for any type of independent use" must be read with Wis. Stat. §§ 703.05 and 703.09(1). Section 703.05 states:
Ownership of units. A unit owner is entitled to the exclusive ownership and possession of his or her unit.
Section 703.09(1) provides:
[507]*507(1) A condominium declaration shall contain:
(g) Statement of the purposes for which the building and each of the units are intended and restricted as to use.
Reading these statutes together, we derive a number of rules and principles.
¶ 38. First, the types of uses for which condominiums may be created are potentially broad, provided that the condominium otherwise complies with the other statutory requirements. For example, the condominium form of ownership apparently has been applied to aircraft hangars as well as grain storage bins. Wisconsin Condominium Law Handbook §§ 12.22A and 12.22B, Supp. 12-2 (1997).
¶ 39. Second, despite the potential breadth of the statute, its application is limited by statutory language that the condominium unit be "intended for ... independent use." The reference to "independent use" does not operate only to describe the exclusive ownership interest in the unit. If that were so, § 703.05 would be unnecessary. Likewise, § 703.05 shows that the legislature used the term "exclusive," not "independent," to refer to an owner's separate ownership interest. Accordingly, the phrase "independent use" refers to something more than the concept of exclusive ownership.
¶ 40. Third, the purpose for which the units are intended must be stated in the declaration. That each unit must have a stated purpose also reinforces the [508]*508conclusion that "independent use" in § 703.02(15) refers to something more than exclusive ownership of the unit.
¶ 41. Any condominium in Wisconsin must comply with these rules and principles. In addition, it is axiomatic that the use for which units are intended along with their purpose as stated in the declaration must comply with other applicable law.
¶ 42. Our interpretation of the statutory definition of "unit" and its application to this case is also aided by a comparison to the Uniform Condominium Act and its variant, the Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act. The Uniform Acts have not been adopted in Wisconsin. ,
¶ 43. The Uniform Condominium Act provides that a "unit" is a "physical portion of the condominium designated for separate ownership or occupancy." 7 U.L.A. Part II, § 1-103(25), p. 217 (Master ed. 1997). Similarly, the Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act defines a "unit" as a "physical portion of the common interest community designated for separate ownership or occupancy." 7 U.L.A. Part I, § 1-103(31), p. 482.
¶ 44. More important for our purposes, these definitions of unit define "condominium" and "common interest community" as "real estate," which under the Uniform Acts is "any leasehold or other estate or interest in, over, or under land," and includes "parcels with or without upper or lower boundaries, and spaces that may be filled with air or water." 7 U.L.A. Part II, §1-103(7) and (21), p. 215-16; 7 U.L.A. Part I, § 1-103(7) and (26), pp. 479, 481 (emphasis added). Thus, under the Acts, a unit may be any physical portion of any interest in, over, or under land, including spaces filled with air or water.
[509]*509¶ 45. Wisconsin's definition of unit makes the unit a part of the condominium "property," which is defined in ch. 703 as "unimproved land, land together with improvements on it or improvements without the underlying land." § 703.02(14). Thus, in addition to providing a qualitatively different definition of the type of property that may become a unit, Wisconsin's condominium statutes are without reference to water or interests in it, unlike the Uniform Acts.
¶ 46. Wisconsin's condominium statutes were enacted in 1963 and modeled after the Federal Housing Authority Model Condominium Statute of 1961. Wisconsin Condominium Law Handbook at § 1.4, p. 1-5. This model statute was designed primarily for high-rise developments. Id.
¶ 47. In 1977, the condominium statutes were replaced to provide more flexibility in the development, creation, and operation of condominiums. Wisconsin Condominium Law Handbook at § 1.4, p. 1-5; see also ch. 407, Laws of 1977. Nonetheless, the key language in the definition of "unit" remained unchanged. See Wis. Stat. § 703.02(1) (1975).7 The statute has always required that the unit be intended for "independent use."
¶ 48. In short, Wisconsin's definition of unit, particularly when juxtaposed with the Uniform Acts, reveals no legislative intent to permit a boat slip to be [510]*510conveyed as a condominium unit. Considering this, and applying the rules and principles from the condominium statutes, we determine that four-by-five-by-six inch lock boxes are not "intended for any type of independent use" within the meaning of § 703.02(15). Rather, they are phantom units that do not meet with the statutory definition.
¶ 49. In contrast to the lock boxes, ABKA's boat slips clearly are intended for a type of independent use: docking a boat. However, the slips are not the units under ABKA's declaration. They are limited common elements. Under ABKA's declaration, the four-by-five-by-six inch lock boxes are the units.8 Although the lock boxes may be intended for exclusive ownership and possession by the unit owner, that does not mean they are "intended for any type of independent use" within the meaning of the statute.
¶ 50. That the lock boxes are not intended for any type of independent use is illustrated by the fact that the declaration lacks a statement describing the purpose or use of the units apart from their appurtenant boat slip. The declaration states that the "units and their appurtenant boat slips in THE ABBEY HARBOR CONDOMINIUM are designated for either recreational uses and purposes or commercial uses and purposes, as set forth in Section 10 herein." Section 10 provides: "The Condominium units and appurtenances in THE ABBEY HARBOR CONDOMINIUM are intended for and restricted to marina, storage, boat [511]*511slip and related recreational uses as governed by the terms and conditions contained herein and the By-Laws of the Association."
¶ 51. It is a sham to suggest that these four-by-five-by-six inch lock boxes are being conveyed for such independent uses as stated in the declaration. They exist for the purpose of conveying the common elements and appurtenant riparian rights. A unit cannot serve primarily as a conduit for another use.
¶ 52. Any assertion that the four-by-five-by-six inch cubicles are intended for any type of independent use is belied by ABKA's marketing materials for the dockominiums. Marketing materials used by ABKA do not feature or even describe the lock boxes. Rather, they refer to "slip ownership" and include a brochure promoting "a place on the lake ... to call your own . . . ." The brochure prominently features a definition of "dockominium" as "individual ownership of the right to use the waterway bordered by a pier and catwalks held in joint dominion (as in a marina)."
¶ 53. We agree with the ALJ's finding:
Unlike other condominium units, the lock box itself does not inherently have much value. The value of the "dockominiums," as the Abbey has marketed these unique condominium units, is largely due to the other amenities that are at this location and are part of the individual common area.
(Citations omitted.) The court of appeals majority also agreed. It concluded that "unlike most condominium units, the lock-box itself has no inherent value; rather, the appurtenant rights attached to the conveyance are the valuable commodity." ABKA Ltd. P'ship v. DNR, 2001 WI App 223, ¶ 43, 247 Wis. 2d 793, 635 N.W.2d 168.
[512]*512¶ 54. As WAL notes, ABKA at one time platted the boat slips themselves as the "units" for its condominium project. This fact also persuades us that the lock boxes are not intended for any type of independent use by the owner.
¶ 55. In short, ABKA's condominium declaration as approved by the DNR fails to create valid units under § 703.02(15) because the units defined in ABKA's declaration have no independent use. Because there are no valid units, there is not a valid condominium conveyance of real property.
B.
¶ 56. Without a valid condominium unit, the transfer of riparian rights that ABKA's declaration purports to accomplish is in violation of § 30.133, which provides that "no owner of riparian land that abuts a navigable water may convey, by easement or by a similar conveyance, any riparian right in the land to another person, except for the right to cross the land in order to have access to the navigable water." In analyzing why the transfer that ABKA has attempted violates § 30.133, some additional background on riparian rights law is necessary.
¶ 57. Riparian owners are those who have title to the ownership of land on the bank of a body of water. Ellingsworth v. Swiggum, 195 Wis. 2d 142, 148, 536 N.W.2d 112 (Ct. App. 1995). A riparian owner is accorded certain rights based upon title to the ownership of shorefront property. Sea View Estates Beach Club, Inc. v. DNR, 223 Wis. 2d 138, 157, 588 N.W.2d 667 (1998). These rights are well defined and, though sub[513]*513ject to regulation, include the right to use the shoreline and have access to the waters, the right to reasonable use of the waters for domestic, agricultural and recreational purposes, and the right to construct a pier or similar structure in aid of navigation. See id. A riparian owner is entitled to exclusive possession to the extent necessary to reach navigable water and to have reasonable access for bathing and swimming. Id.
¶ 58. One water rights treatise explains, "every state has accepted at least some form of transferring riparian rights apart from the land that gave rise to the rights. Water and Water Rights § 7.04, p. 7-91 (Robert E. Beck, ed. 2001). However, "most courts have not accepted the full transferability of riparian rights." Id. at 7-92. Instead, "courts have evolved complex rules that vary from state to state to define the extent to which riparian rights might be transferred and to protect the interests of those who will be affected by the transfer even though not direct parties to the transfer." Id.
¶ 59. With that background on riparian rights law in mind, we turn to § 30.133 and the proper application of its language prohibiting the transfer of riparian rights "by easement or by a similar conveyance." We begin by noting that riparian rights have been characterized to be, in some senses, like an easement:
Under common law in most states, the riparian rights are an interest in real estate, somewhat like an easement, that is, the right to use land. Unlike an easement, however, riparian rights in many states can be severed from the uplands to which they were originally appurtenant, and can be sold to others.
[514]*514Gurdon H. Buck, Dockominium, Documents, C833 ALI-ABA 261, 264 (1993). The way that the quoted source distinguishes riparian rights from an easement goes to the heart of § 30.133.
¶ 60. Section 30.133 was the legislature's response to Stoesser v. Shore Drive P'ship, 172 Wis. 2d 660, 668, 494 N.W.2d 204 (1993), in which this court concluded that "Wisconsin follows the general rule that riparian rights can be conveyed to non-riparian owners by easement." The legislature did not agree with the court's conclusion. The fiscal analysis in the drafting file for the act that created § 30.133 notes that while the statute would have little or no fiscal effects, it had "significant policy implications."
¶ 61. Wisconsin's approach under § 30.133 has been identified as unique:
Many people assume that one can convey the riparian rights apart from the land just as readily as one could convey riparian land without the appurtenant riparian rights.... More and more states have now come to accept that such grants are effective to some extent, with the effect varying, depending on whether the rights sought to be conveyed relate to consumptive or nonconsumptive uses. Wisconsin, on the other hand, has now expressly prohibited the conveyance of riparian rights, effective April 9, 1994. Presumably this means apart from the conveyance of riparian land.
Water and Water Rights at § 7.04(a)(3), pp. 7-97 - 7-98 (footnotes omitted).
¶ 62. Nonetheless, ABKA asserts that §30.133 does not apply because its dockominium owners own riparian property in common. Similarly, the Realtors [515]*515Association asserts that § 30.133 has nothing to do with the condominium form of ownership. We disagree with both assertions.
¶ 63. ABKA's argument implicitly recognizes that § 30.133 prohibits the conveyance of riparian rights apart from riparian property. It relies on the premise that the purchasers of its phantom units own riparian property in common in asserting it has not violated § 30.133. However, the purchasers of ABKA's phantom units do not own riparian property in common because there has been an incomplete condominium conveyance under the condominium statutes. Under § 703.04,9 it is the "unit, together with its undivided interest in the common elements" that constitutes "real property." Without a valid unit, the unit "owners" do not hold real property, and the declaration is left to convey nothing more than riparian rights unattached to any real property interest.
¶ 64. Without a valid unit, that is, a unit with an independent use, what is left is an attempt to convey riparian rights not by easement, but "by a similar conveyance" in violation of §30.133. Under § 30.133, riparian rights must be conveyed as attached to something; here, they are attached to nothing. ABKA is attempting to convey riparian rights qua riparian rights. Conveyances of property and property rights are circumscribed by state statutes and regulations.
¶ 65. Here, contrary to what ABKA and the Realtors Association asserts, ABKA's conveyance of riparian rights to dockominium owners is in violation [516]*516of § 30.133.10 The ALJ made an erroneous determination of law when it concluded to the contrary. See § 227.57(5).
¶ 66. Under the Uniform Acts and some other states' statutes, such forms of dockominiums may be permissible. For example, the Ohio condominium statutes include the following provision:
"Unit," in the case of a water slip, means a part of the condominium property consisting of the land under a portion of the water in a water slip ... and designated as a unit in the declaration ...."
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 5311.01(I)(2) (2002).
¶ 67. Such is not the state of the law in Wisconsin. Our condominium statutes, unlike the Uniform Acts or the Ohio statute, require an independent use. Unlike other states, Wisconsin also has § 30.133, which greatly limits the transfer of riparian rights separate from the shoreland to which the rights attach. If the law is to change, the legislature must act. It is free to amend the condominium statutes or § 30.133, though as always, within constitutional limits.
¶ 68. We note that residential condominium units that provide for the use of boat slips are readily distinguishable from ABKA's lock boxes. Residential condo[517]*517minium units are intended for a type of independent use. Their true purpose, living space for human beings, may readily and accurately be stated in a condominium declaration. Such units would comply with the statutory definition of "unit," would allow for a valid condominium conveyance, and would create common interest ownership in riparian property. Therefore, residential units that provide for the use of a boat slip would not contravene § 30.133.
IV
¶ 69. In sum, we determine that the DNR had jurisdiction over ABKA's conversion of its marina to a condominium form of ownership. We also determine that the AL J erred in approving this attempted conversion because it was a conveyance of riparian rights in violation of § 30.133. Accordingly, albeit on different grounds, we affirm the court of appeals.
By the Court. — The decision of the court of appeals is affirmed.
¶ 70. JON E WILCOX, J., did not participate.
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